Before your stay

Find out what to expect when you arrive at hospital and what you may need to bring.

Covid-19

Before you come into hospital, please look at the latest government guidance on Covid-19. Click here for the latest information. 

What to bring to hospital 

If you are coming to stay in hospital either overnight or as a day patient, please bring with you: 

• Your address and phone number 
• Your admission letter and appointment card 
• The name, address and phone number of your GP
• A list of any medication you are taking, including non-prescription medicines and inhalers
• Up-to-date details of your next of kin or emergency contact details
• Payment for any prescriptions, or an exemption card
• Toiletries if you are staying overnight 

  You may also want to bring:

• A toothbrush, toothpaste and soap, tissues
• A hairbrush or comb
• Any glasses, hearing aids or dentures that you wear
• Manual or cordless razor and shaving foam
• Contact phone numbers for your relatives, friends and carers
• Things to do, such as reading material, writing material, a personal music player, a mobile or tablet device if you have one (must be used with headphones) 

Please don’t bring:

• Valuables or large sums of money
• Large items — you will only have a small bedside cupboard to store your belongings in
• An alarm clock — this may disturb other patients

Getting to hospital

We advise giving yourself plenty of time to get to hospital and to find where you need to go.

• You may be asked to use a particular car park and hospital entrance, so please check your clinic letter for details on where to go when you arrive.
• Find out about the different ways you can travel to each of our hospital sites
• Read more about hospital transport and whether you are eligible