Preparing for your stay
Staying in hospital as an inpatient
We’ll send you an admission letter with:
- the date you need to come into hospital
- details about where to go
We aim to respect your privacy, dignity and religious and cultural beliefs at all times.
Phone the number on your letter if you have any special needs, such as washing or praying facilities.
You will not need many clothes or personal belongings during your stay.
Before you leave home, please check that you have packed the following:
- your admission letter, and any other information we have sent you
- your NHS number (it should be on your NHS card or any letter from your GP)
- all medications you take or use. This includes prescription medications, medicines you have bought, and alternative medicines such as herbal remedies
- some money in case you want to buy a newspaper, or use the telephone or bedside entertainment system
- the name, address and postcode of your GP
- nightclothes, dressing gown, slippers
- Glasses or contact lenses
- Hearing aid
- any mobility aids you use, for example, a walking stick or frame
- toiletries (for example soap, flannel, toothbrush, toothpaste, towel)
- things to pass the time such as books, magazines, paper and pens
Please do not bring:
- jewellery or other valuables
- large bags or suitcases (due to limited storage space)
- alcohol
- illegal drugs
Don’t forget to:
- cancel any deliveries at home; for example milk or newspapers
- cancel any home services you have
- arrange for any pets to be cared for
- tell your friends and family you are going into hospital
- remove any nail polish and false nails
- remove body piercings where possible. It may be possible to tape over any that are not in the immediate area being operated on – tongue piercings must always be removed for patients having a general anaesthetic
- have a bath or shower just before you come in to hospital (this is important for hygiene before surgery or treatment)
What about my valuables?
Please do not bring valuables such as jewellery or large sums of money into hospital. We cannot accept liability for lost or stolen property or money that is not handed in for safekeeping. If you must bring valuables with you, you should hand them to your nurse when you arrive. We can then arrange for safekeeping in the cashier’s office. You will need to sign a receipt for your valuables. Please note, the cashiers will return cash amounts over £300 by cheque.
Please check with the wards if laptops and mobile phones are allowed, the Trust accepts no responsibility for lost of stolen property. There is wi-fi available for a charge.
Any tablets that you bring into hospital will be returned to you, providing the doctors feel that you should keep on taking them. If you need any new medicines you will be given a small supply to take home. Please see your GP to arrange further prescriptions before these run out.
Please make sure you take all of your property with you. If any money or valuables are being stored, we will return this to you before you go home.
If you have a medical condition that means you need hospital transport, your nurse will arrange this for you. If you need an ambulance, you may first travel from your ward to our transport departure lounge.
Phones and tablets
You can bring your phone or tablet but this is at your own risk. We cannot accept liability for lost or stolen property.
We provide free WiFi. Please use headphones and consider the brightness of your screen so you do not disturb other people.
Hospital prescriptions
You may have been given a prescription for medication at the outpatient clinic. We will explain where to take it, depending on the type of prescription it is.
- A hospital outpatient prescription can only be dispensed at St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust at either the St James Wing or Lanesborough Wing outpatient pharmacy (whichever is nearest to your clinic)
- An outpatient medication plan will need to be taken to your GP surgery where your GP will issue an FP10 prescription. You can take an FP10 prescription to your community pharmacy.
If you have any questions about your medicines, please call our pharmacy patient helpline 020 8725 1033. The line is open Monday to Friday 09.30am to 17.00pm.