We want to make your time in hospital as comfortable as possible. This guide will help you prepare, understand your care, and know what to expect when you go home.
Planning your journey
Use our journey planner to check public transport and parking options.
Preparing for admission
Your admission letter tells you:
- When to arrive
- Your ward name
- Your consultant’s name
- Any special instructions (e.g., fasting before surgery or medication guidelines)
If you feel unwell or cannot attend, call us as soon as possible.
What to bring
Please bring only essentials as space is limited.
Essentials
- Nightwear, dressing gown, and slippers
- Comfortable day clothes
- Toiletries (for personal use only)
- Hand towel (label it if possible)
- Glasses, hearing aids, or mobility aids (with chargers or spare batteries)
- Mobile phone and charger
- Money for TV, phone calls, or newspapers
- Books, magazines, or puzzles
- Notepad and pen
- A list of medicines you take
Leave valuables at home as we cannot be responsible for lost items.
Medicines
Bring all medicines you take, including inhalers, injections, creams, patches, and herbal remedies. A pharmacist will review your medicines during your stay.
When you arrive
Finding Your ward
Leave extra time for travel. Our CUH Directions mobile app can help you find clinics, wards, and facilities.
Admission process
When you arrive, you will:
- Receive ward information
- Meet your consultant or a team member
- Discuss your medical history and any questions
If you are pregnant or have been in the last 28 days, please tell a staff member.
Wristbands and safety
You will get a wristband with your details. Please wear it at all times. If it becomes loose or uncomfortable, let us know.
Your name will be on the ward’s whiteboard, so staff can find you quickly. If you prefer not to be listed, tell the nurse in charge.
Special requirements
Let us know if you have specific needs, such as:
- Sight or hearing impairments
- Mobility issues
- Cultural or religious needs
- A translator or British Sign Language interpreter
Your care
Who will look after you?
Your care team includes:
- Your consultant and their team
- Nurses led by a ward manager (dark blue uniform)
- Modern matrons (black and red uniform) who oversee care and ward conditions
- Specialists such as physiotherapists, dietitians, and occupational therapists
If you have concerns, speak to your nurse, ward manager, or matron.
Chaperones
You can request a chaperone during personal examinations.
Medical students
As a teaching hospital, medical students may observe your care. Let us know if you prefer not to take part.
Understanding your treatment
Your care team will update your treatment plan daily. They will explain your treatment, its benefits and risks, and ask for your consent when needed.
If you have questions, ask before agreeing to treatment.
Are you pregnant or is there a possibility you may be pregnant?
Have you been pregnant in the last 28 days? If so, this may be significant to your care. Please tell a member of staff. Information shared will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Do take this opportunity to ask any questions that you or your family might have about your stay.
You will be nursed in a single sex bay and there are separate bathroom facilities for men and women. Exceptions include beds in intensive care and high dependency.
Keeping you safe
Preventing infections
- Use alcohol hand gel when entering or leaving the ward
- Wash your hands after using the toilet and before eating
- If unsure, ask staff about hand hygiene
Smoking
Our hospitals are smoke-free zones. If you need support to quit smoking, ask a nurse or doctor for Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT).
Support is available from:
If you have concerns about your care
Speak to ward staff if you or your family have concerns. Many issues can be resolved immediately.
If you need further help, contact PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service). Ask ward staff for a PALS leaflet.
Leaving hospital
Discharge planning
We will discuss your discharge plan when you arrive and throughout your stay. If you have concerns, speak to the ward staff.
Once you are ready to leave, you will not be able to stay, as a longer stay may slow recovery.
If you need extra care, a social worker will help with arrangements. You may need to move to an interim care facility before going home.
Read: Heading Home from Hospital – A Guide for Adult Patients, Family, and Carers
On the day you leave
We aim to discharge you before lunch. Please ensure you have:
- All personal belongings
- Valuables from the hospital safe
- Any medicines you need
If using patient transport, ensure someone collects your belongings before discharge. Ambulances can only carry a small bag plus your medicines.
Free NHS Wi-Fi
When in our hospital's you can connect to ‘NHS Wi-Fi’ from your chosen personal device (e.g. smartphone, tablet, laptop) to access the internet using our free patient and visitor Wi-Fi service.