Staying in hospital

If you are staying in our hospital for one night or more, you are an “inpatient.”

What to bring to hospital

The following list is a guideline of what we recommend you bring with you, for your hospital stay.

It’s also a good idea to check your admissions letter to make sure you have included any additional items not listed here that you’ve been asked to bring in.

What to bring to hospital

What to bring:

night clothes/pyjamas
dressing gown and slippers
casual clothes/leisure wear
towels
toiletries (such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste and shaving gel)
dentures - and a pot and cleaner - if you use them
books or magazines or any other hobby which will help you pass the time (such as knitting or handheld video games)
reading glasses, if you need them
some money to buy items such as newspapers from the hospital trolley, or cards for the patient entertainment system
any medicines that you are taking

What not to bring to hospital:

large amounts of money
valuable (monetary or sentimental) jewellery

You may bring your mobile phone but please be aware that staff may ask you to limit phone calls for the sake of confidentiality, privacy and noise control.

We will provide you with a small bedside locker for your clothes and other belongings but we cannot accept responsibility for any items lost during your stay.

If you are expecting to be in hospital a while and normally receive a state pension, or any other form of state benefit, please contact your benefits office to let them know about your stay.

You can read our, “Your Stay in Hospital” booklet for a complete guide to being an inpatient at Barnsley Hospital. This booklet is given to all patients in printed form, upon admission.

The #EndPJParalysis campaign

At Barnsley Hospital we support and promote the #endPJParalysis campaign.

Evidence suggests that patients lose 1-5% of their muscle strength every day they stay in bed. Skin breakdown, pressure sores, confusion and fatigue can also be side effects.

We ask that you bring clothes to wear during the day which is different to your night clothes. Changing into different clothes at the start of each day is proven to help aid your recovery. By maintaining a typical routine, you are likely to return home sooner.

If a friend or family member has had to come into the hospital, please help them understand the importance of bringing alternative clothes to wear during the day.

On the day of your admission to hospital

Please check your admissions letter for the time you need to come into the hospital for.
If you get a cough or cold and are not sure whether you should come in, phone the number on your admissions letter for advice.
On arrival, you will be given more information about the people and procedures involved in your care. Please let the nurse know if you have any accessibility requirements such as a disability, sight or hearing impairment, speech impairment or cultural needs.
All patients are given a wrist band which must be worn at all times as it has important information about you for staff. Please inform a member of staff if you lose or damage your wristband.

Before your treatment starts, your doctor will come and see you to check how you are. They will discuss your treatment in more detail. If you have any more questions or concerns at this point, please mention these to your doctor. You may be asked to sign a consent form. This is required if you are due to undergo a procedure which requires anaesthetic, or there is the risk of significant side effects or complications from your treatment. Signing a consent form confirms you understand the treatment you will receive, and any possible risks and that you agree to the treatment.

A relative or friend can come with you and can stay with you while you are admitted. If you are a day patient (outpatient) and are having any form of anaesthetic, we recommend that you arrange for someone to take you home.

The patient's library

Same (single) sex accommodation

Leaving the hospital

At Barnsley Hospital we make sure that you are ready to go home at the earliest opportunity, provided you are well enough, and have everything you need to recover fully.

During your stay, an assessment team works together to consider your medical, social and environmental needs. This could mean you are free to go home or you may require other routes of care outside the hospital such as:

outpatient appointments
intermediate care – for example visits from a nurse or occupational therapist
carer support
equipment or accommodation alterations for home treatment
care at a specialist hospital
residential or nursing care

We will discuss your discharge with you to make sure you have all the support, equipment and medication you need, We will give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

If you are claiming sickness benefit, don’t forget to ask for a certificate of discharge to prove your entitlement(s).

Talking to your GP

When you are discharged from hospital, your GP will receive a letter to notify them.

This letter will contain:

details about your admission and why you came to hospital
what treatment you received
details about any new or changes to your existing medication

You can also request a copy of this letter for your own records. A copy can be requested from the receptionist of the ward or department you stayed at, or from your GP.

After you’ve left hospital

If you have any further concerns about your condition or treatment once you have been discharged, book an appointment with your GP in the first instance. You can also contact NHS 111 online or via calling 111.

You should only contact 999 or come to A & E, in an emergency