Inpatient guide
What to bring in with you
We suggest you bring:
- Two sets of nightwear
- Dressing gown
- Slippers
- Toiletries
- Bath towel
- Flannel
- Tissues
- Reading and writing material
- Small change for the telephone/newspapers/confectionery
- Moist hand wipes
Please do not bring in:
- Valuables
- Alcohol
- Portable radios or sound systems
- Mobile phones
- Television sets
- Laptops
Most ward areas have both television and radio. You are welcome to bring in personal stereos with earphones.
Please do not bring in large amounts of cash or jewellery. The Trust cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to your personal property and disclaimer notices are on every ward.
Should you need to bring valuables in to hospital with you, hand them immediately to the Ward Sister/Charge Nurse upon admission who will give you an official receipt and ensure safe custody. Cash and jewellery will be immediately taken to the Patient Affairs Office and deposited in their safe. No valuables will be kept on the ward. Every effort will be made to hand the money deposited back in cash however, if that is not possible, a cheque may have to be raised by our Finance department.
Medicines and Tablets
Please bring with you any medications, including creams and over the counter herbal and homoeopathic remedies that you are currently taking. This will help us to establish all your present medication quickly. A list or a computer printout of your medication from your GP is not sufficient. If you are on Warfarin please bring in any records you may have.
No Smoking Policy
Smoking is not permitted inside any of the Trust’s premises or anywhere in the grounds. Patients, members of the public and staff are not allowed to smoke on Trust sites. View the trust's smokefree policy
The result of your operation and treatment will be greatly improved if you stop smoking. It is best to stop at least 8 weeks before your operation. There is free local help available, run by experts. For support to quit smoking, please contact Hertfordshire Health Improvement Service on 0800 389 3998, text SMOKEFREE to 80818 or email stopsmokingservice@hertscc.gcsx.gov.uk
Translating and Interpreting
The Patient Advice & Liaison Service (PALS) can book a professional interpreter in advance for our patients.
Please ask a family member or friend who speaks English to contact the ward or department staff to arrange this service. The ward/department must book interpreting or translation through PALS on 01923 217198. This service is free to our patients.
Please ask if you require this service prior to your appointment.
Please note that all our hospital sites, including car parks are SMOKEFREE
