If you're coming to hospital and will need to stay overnight, you're being treated as an inpatient. You'll be given information about what to expect and what to bring with you in your appointment letter.

You can also look in the our services section on this website to find out more about your treatment or condition.

On admission you will be provided with the booklet below which will provide detail about your admission through to discharge. Ask the ward staff for your copy.

Your stay in hospital - patient information

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Next of kin

Although the term ‘next of kin’ is widely used in our hospitals and is useful from a practical perspective, the term has no legal definition or status. In a hospital setting, the term is only used to determine who a patient wants to be kept updated about their care and progress in hospital.

On admission to hospital, the patient should be asked who they wish this person to be. If the patient is unconscious or otherwise unable to state their wishes, the hospital can reasonably assume that this will be a close relative, spouse or partner.

Alternatively, if the patient has a lasting power of attorney for health and welfare in place, this would be another way for us to identify who that person may be, as well as who can make decisions on behalf of a patient if they lack capacity to make those decisions themselves.

Getting you home

We'll start to talk to you about arranging for you to leave hospital (your discharge) as soon as possible after you are admitted.

Please be aware that once your medical team are happy to discharge you, you may need to wait while final arrangements are made (such as medicines being prepared in the pharmacy).

On the day of discharge, beds should be vacated by 11am. Anyone who needs to wait for medication, transport or someone to collect them will be asked to sit in the discharge lounge on F level.

Transport needs to be arranged by you and your relatives or carers, so please make sure you have organised for someone to take you home.

Here is some advice to ensure your stay with us is comfortable and to help get you home or to your next place of care to recover as soon as possible:

Please ensure that you provide your contact telephone number, mobile and email address on admission so that we are able to get hold of you to discuss any care plans/discharge and answer any questions you may have.

Please ensure that the patient has access to house keys at all times. This will aid a smooth transition home at the time of need.

Please pack/drop off suitable items that will assist the patient in remaining as independent as possible; weather suitable clothing, hearing aids/glasses, appropriate footwear.

Please let the hospital know whether you are able to support any assistance with supporting your loved one with any care needs on initial return home. There is currently a national shortage for care in the community and waits for this are at an all time high. Please also indicate whether you would be able to assist in the short term as this may allow your family member to return to the comforts of their own home sooner.

For patients with extensive physical needs transport will be co-ordinated. Please plan your own transport in the first instance and offer this information nearing the discharge date where possible.

If you have any concerns regarding a patient please share this with us at the earliest opportunity. We occasionally see situations where concerns are raised on the day of planned return home, which can waste planned community resources and prevent a discharge from going ahead.