What is this leaflet about?
This guide is to help you and your family or loved ones to understand:
- what you can expect during your stay
- how to stay safe
- how we will support you, from when you come in to when you leave
Keeping everyone safe
We have a duty to provide a safe and secure environment for everyone.
We will do this through kindness and respect. We ask for the same from our patients and visitors.
We will not tolerate violent or abusive behaviour. We will take action to protect our staff, patients and visitors.
During your stay
What can I bring to hospital with me?
You can bring personal belongings with you. You are responsible for them while you are in hospital.
You should not bring:
- expensive or valuable things
- jewellery
- large sums of money
We do our best to make sure our wards are safe and secure. But we cannot accept liability for any of your belongings that are damaged, lost or stolen.
We provide lockers. Use these lockers to keep important things safe.
If you need help using the lockers, or if you have something that you would like to keep in a more secure place, please ask us.
Can I smoke in hospital?
No. All our hospitals are smoke free. This means smoking is not allowed anywhere on the site. This includes outdoors, for example:
- outside entrances
- in car parks
- in the grounds
If you would like nicotine replacement, please ask.
You can use e-cigarettes and vapes outside the hospital, if you stand 10 metres away from the building.
If you would like help to stop smoking, help is available. Ask for a visit from a member of our tobacco dependency service.
What to expect each day
When will I see hospital staff?
Ward rounds - Each day, your doctor and a team of healthcare professionals will visit you. This is called a ward round.
They will:
- see how you are doing
- update your treatment plan
- answer any questions you might have
This will happen at least once a day.
Nurses
Our nurses will check on you often. How often depends on your needs.
They will:
- monitor your condition
- give you your medicines
- give you personal care, for example, helping you to wash
Other health professionals
Depending on your needs, you may see other people who work in healthcare. For example, you may see:
- physiotherapists
- occupational therapists
- dietitians
We want to work with you while you are in hospital. We encourage you to share your worries and ask us questions. This makes it easier for us to understand what you need and give you the right treatment.
Here are some questions you may want to ask:
- What is my diagnosis?
- What are the next steps in my treatment?
- Are there any changes to my medicines or care?
- Could any of my treatment be done at home?
- When will I be able to go home?
- Who should I contact if I have questions later?
If you don't understand any of the answers we give you, don't be afraid to ask us to explain more carefully.
Staying safe
How can I help keep myself safe and healthy?
- Keep your hands clean
- Wash your hands or use hand sanitiser regularly. Please remind visitors to do the same. This helps stop infections spreading.
- There are hand sanitiser dispensers throughout the hospital.
- Help us prevent falls
- If you're at risk of falling, let us know. We can make sure the environment is as safe as possible for you.
- Call for help
- Use the call button next to your bed if you need help at any time.
- Preventing seasonal infections
How can I avoid infections like colds and flu?
Vaccines
Vaccines help reduce the risk of seasonal infections. Make sure yours are up to date, including the flu vaccine if you qualify for it.
Hand hygiene
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially after coughing, sneezing or using the toilet. Use hand sanitiser when soap and water are not available.
- Cover your mouth and nose
- Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissues away in a bin immediately. Wash your hands afterwards.
- Avoid touching your face
- Try not to touch your face, especially your eyes, nose and mouth. This helps stop germs getting into your body.
- Eat and drink well
- Drinking plenty of fluids and eating a range of healthy foods can help keep your immune system strong.
Follow our procedures
If you have a cough, fever or other symptoms of a respiratory infection, tell us straight away. We may need to take extra precautions to keep everyone safe. For example, we may need to move you away from other patients or close a ward to visitors.
Your medicines
Why is it important to understand my medicines?
Understanding your medicines will help your recovery. You can manage your health better if you know:
- what each medicine is for
- how to take it
- what side effects to watch for
What is this medicine for?
- How and when should I take it?
- What are the possible side effects?
- Don't be afraid to ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist about your medicines.
- For example: are there any foods, drinks or activities I should avoid while taking this medicine?
We will regularly review your medicines to make sure they are right for you.
What do I need to be aware of when it comes to my medicines?
Allergies
Make sure we know about any allergies you have. You should also let us know if you've ever had a reaction to any medicines in the past.
Side effects
Be aware of common side effects of your medicines. The leaflet that comes with them should tell you what these effects are. Your healthcare professionals can also tell you about them.
Tell us straight away if you get any unusual symptoms.
Interactions
Some medicines can affect or be affected by foods, drinks or other medicines. We call these effects "interactions". Your pharmacist can help you understand these.
Keeping physically active
Why is it important to stay active?
Being inactive for too long can lead to:
- muscle weakness
- reduced mobility
- poorer physical health in general
Staying active helps you keep up your strength, balance, and independence.
Keeping active can also help you recover more quickly. Regular movement and exercise:
- helps improve your circulation
- boosts your mood
- supports your recovery
How can I stay active on the ward?
Get up and dressed. If possible, get up and get dressed each day. This helps you feel more alert and engaged. Ask us if you need help to do this.
Gentle exercises
We will recommend simple exercises for you. These may include:
- chair exercises
- stretching
- gentle walking around your room or the ward
Stretching
Do daily stretches to stay flexible. You can do them sitting or lying down.
Active sitting
Even if you are in bed or sitting down for a long time, try to move your legs and arms regularly. Simple movements like ankle circles or shoulder rolls can help.
Physical therapy
We may prescribe you physical therapy sessions. Your therapist can give you exercises and techniques to help you recover.
Hospital visiting
We value the support that visitors give to our patients.
Visitors must follow our infection control procedures. This is to keep everyone safe. Please do not visit if you are feeling unwell.
Sometimes, wards may be closed to visitors during outbreaks of infectious diseases.
Visiting times may be different for different wards. You can check the times and any other rules at www.ncic.nhs.uk/patients-visitors/information-hosptial-visitors. You can also ask ward staff.
Sticking to visiting times is important. It prevents disruption to things like meal times and ward rounds.
We encourage family members and loved ones to speak to us about patients' care. However, please understand that staff may not always be available. They may be involved in emergencies or other high priority tasks.
We will always do our best to communicate with family and loved ones, because we know how important it is.
Chaplaincy
The Chaplaincy team offers support to patients, families, carers and staff, no matter what their faith or beliefs are.
Our chaplains and volunteers promote emotional, spiritual, and religious wellbeing.
We listen to your unique story. We respect what is meaningful to you. We want to make sure that you feel understood and supported.
Visit www.ncic.nhs.uk/patients-visitors/patient-information-leaflets/Chaplaincy-service for more details.
Transferring to another ward or hospital
Will I need to move somewhere else?
During your stay, you may need to move to another ward or hospital. This is so that you get the best care for you. A different ward or hospital may have services or facilities that you need.
What can I expect if I am transferred?
We will tell you in advance if we plan to transfer you. We will explain:
- where you are going
- why you are being moved
- what you can expect to happen
We will also:
- make sure that all your belongings are safely moved with you
- make sure that you are comfortable during the move
- answer any questions or concerns you may have
Moving on from hospital - preparing for discharge
What is discharge?
Discharge is when you leave hospital, to go home or to another care setting.
Planning for discharge starts the moment you come into hospital. Our goal is to make sure you stay in hospital only as long as you need to.
Why is being discharged as soon as possible important?
Hospitals are for acute care. This means the kind of short-term treatment that you cannot get anywhere else. They are not designed for long stays.
Long stays in hospital can increase the risk of problems like infections or mobility issues.
It is important to leave hospital as soon as it is safe for you. You can then continue to recover in a more suitable environment.
Who will plan for my discharge and how?
Our hospital multidisciplinary team (MDT) will help with this. This means that doctors, nurses, therapists and social workers all work together. We focus on you and what you need.
If you, your family or loved ones have any questions about the process, please tell us. Talking to us as soon as possible is important to prevent delays in sending you home.
What if I think there are issues that might affect my discharge?
It is important to tell us as soon as possible if you think there is anything that might affect how quickly we can discharge you.
If you think you will need more care support at home than you did before, let us know.
You should also tell us if you have any concerns about your home environment. For example, is there anything that could be a safety hazard? Will you be able to get in, around and out of your home easily?
Telling us about these things as soon as possible means we can plan for them. We can help you make any arrangements that you will need.
Where will I go when I leave hospital?
You will probably leave hospital as soon as you no longer need the kind of treatment hospitals give. But you may still need some form of care. Where you go after hospital depends on what kind of care you need.
We don't make the full decision about your long term needs in the hospital. This will happen after an assessment. The assessment will take place in your home or in a different care setting. We call this Discharge to Assess.
There are 4 different options. We call these options "pathways"
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Pathway 0: You will go back to your home. You won't need any extra help.
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Pathway 1: You will go back to your home. You will have help from community services. For example, care support workers may come and visit you.
-
Pathway 2: You will go to a short term care setting for more treatment. This might be somewhere like a community hospital. You will continue your recovery here until you are fit enough to go home.
-
Pathway 3: You will go to a short term residential or nursing home where you will have round the clock care. This is so we can assess your needs and decide where is best for you to be in the longer term.
The care placements in Pathway 3 are usually free until you have your assessment. You can find out more at https://legacy.cumberland.gov.uk/healthsocialcare/ccc/costs.asp
Can I choose where I go?
We will try our best to arrange your short-term placement so you are as close to your home as possible. But you do not have the right to stay in hospital while you wait for the place that you want. We will need to place you in the next available care setting that can safely meet your needs.
Once your long term needs have been assessed, the people involved in your care will talk to you and your family or loved ones. They will make sure you know what is happening throughout the process. They will support you in finding the right place for you.
Leaving hospital
How will I leave hospital?
You will need to arrange your own transport to leave hospital, if you can. You can use public transport if this is safe for you.
We may be able to arrange transport for you, but this will depend on your medical or mobility needs.
Talk to your family or loved ones about how you will get home. Tell us your plans as soon as possible.
Talking about this well before you go home helps us make sure you have everything you need and that there are no delays.
What will happen on the day of discharge?
We will take you to the discharge lounge. It is a comfortable and safe space where you can wait for your transport. Staff in the discharge lounge will be able to help you with any final questions or anything you need before you leave.
Support after discharge
Who can I contact if I need help after I leave hospital?
If there are any changes in your symptoms, or if you have any concerns, contact the ward that you were discharged from. You can get help from them for 48 hours after you leave.
You can also contact your GP or call 111.
Make sure you keep seeing your GP or your other healthcare professionals after you leave hospital. They can:
- give you more guidance
- help you manage any long-term conditions you have
- help you with your recovery
More information
How can I give feedback on my hospital experience?
Please ask the ward staff for a discharge survey.
Useful websites
For information about North Cumbria Integrated Care Trust and your condition:
www.ncic.nhs.uk/patients-visitors/patient-information-leaflets
For general health information:
For information about care after you leave hospital: www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/money-work-and-benefits/nhs-continuing-healthcare/
www.cumberland.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/adult-social-care
www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/adult-social-care
Confidentiality
‘The Trust’s vision is to keep your information safe in our hands.’ We promise to use your information fairly and legally, and in-line with local and national policies. You have a right to understand how your information is used and you can request a copy of the information we hold about you at any time.
For further information on confidentiality contact the Information Governance Team:
Information.Governance@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 603961
Feedback
We appreciate and encourage feedback, which helps us to improve our services. If you have any comments, compliments or concerns to make about your care, please contact the Patient, Advice & Liaison Service:
pals@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 814008 or 01946 523818
If you would like to raise a complaint regarding your care, please contact the Complaints Department:
complaints@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 936302