What will happen to me when I come in to hospital?

• You will be asked to give details about yourself, including your next of kin, address and contact details.
• It is important our staff know what medicines you are taking and anything you are allergic to.
• All medication that you are currently taking should be handed over to the nurse in charge when you come into hospital
• Your nurse or doctor will explain what investigations will be carried out and what the different treatments are for your condition, and the risks and benefits of each treatment.
• You will be asked to sign a consent form after you have been given a full explanation of the proposed treatment

You should be fully satisfied that you have received enough information before going ahead. Please ask any questions; the people in your care team are happy to discuss your care.

Cleanliness and hygiene

We set ourselves very high standards of cleanliness and hygiene. If you have any comments about the standard of cleanliness we strongly encourage you to tell a member of staff.

Please do not hesitate to ask whether staff have washed their hands. 

Hospital food

There is a choice of food for all your main meals, including a vegetarian selection. We will cater for any cultural or special dietary needs you may have including religious or ethnic diets.

If you follow a medically prescribed diet, please tell a member of the nursing team on arrival.

Meal Times: (approximate times only)

• Breakfast - Served from 7.45am
• Lunch - Served from 12.00 noon
• Dinner - Served from 5.00pm

We would prefer visitors not to bring food into the hospital.
Voluntary workers of the WRVS and British Red Cross Society, visit the wards with a trolley, from which you can buy sweets, toiletries etc.

What should I bring with me?

Valuables

Please avoid bringing valuables, such as jewellery, and large amounts of money into hospital with you.

The Trust cannot accept responsibility or liability for property or money brought onto hospital premises, unless they are handed to a member of the nursing team for safe custody, and an official receipt is issued.

Your valuables/money are usually held in a central location in the hospital called the General Office. These are located on the 2nd floor of the Tower Block at Hull Royal Infirmary, and at the main reception desk at Castle Hill Hospital.

The General Offices are open: Monday to Friday between 9.00am to 5.00pm.
If you are discharged over the weekend you may have to return for valuables/money left with the General Office.

Staying in touch with family and friends

Your family or carer may want information about your care. Please ask them to speak to a member of staff caring for you, who can discuss this with your permission.

It helps the staff if one person could telephone for news about your condition and pass the information on to others. A direct dial number is available for most wards.

For further information on visiting hours and ward contact details click here.

Mobile Phones

In most circumstances we do not allow the use of mobile phones in patient areas. Our staff can inform you of areas where you can use a mobile phone.

The use of camera and video is strictly prohibited in patient areas.

Bedside Entertainment System

Most wards have a bedside phone and television, provided and managed by Hospedia. You can buy the service before you come into hospital using your credit/debit card and then top it up as you need to. Any money left on your account when you leave hospital can be refunded. Call the Hospedia Customer Care Centre on 0870 212 1234. You can also purchase cards directly from one of the machines on or near your ward.

For further information: www.hospedia.co.uk

Please note that incoming calls to Hospedia bedside phones are charged at 49p per minute or 39p off-peak.

Pay Phones

You can make calls from one of our public pay phones. Please ask a member of staff for the nearest pay phone

The cost of a call from pay phones within the Trust is as follows:
Local and National calls cost 40p for the first 20 minutes and 10p for 10 minutes thereafter. Calls to mobiles other networks and international destinations may vary.