Patients’ Information
You will need the following items during your stay with us:
Tracksuit/comfortable trousers/leggings.
Flat shoes or runners.
Swimwear (for hydrotherapy pool).
Any dressing aids normally used.
Usual nightwear and toiletries (for inpatients).
Mobility aids e.g. crutches, sticks, wheelchairs, etc.
We cannot take any responsibility for personal items retained by you throughout your stay. We strongly advise you not to bring any valuables, e.g. jewellery or large amounts of cash. Safe boxes are not available on the wards. If you are an inpatient, please leave your valuables in the care of relatives or friends. In exceptional circumstances, the Hospice authorities will take care of valuables, provided they are listed and handed to the manager for safe keeping.
If you are taking any tablets or other medicines, including eye drops, inhalers, patches, gel for pain and supplements, it is very important that you bring these with you on the day of your admission. This will allow the doctor and pharmacist to review your medicines and know exactly what medicine(s) you are taking.
Ensure that you have a supply of medicine in case the pharmacy does not have a particular item in stock.
If you are an inpatient, these medicines must be given to the nurse admitting you, and they will be returned to you for your weekend leave and when you are discharged. No additional medication will be supplied on discharge. You will be given a new prescription, which you can take to your GP or local pharmacy.
A dedicated suggestion box is located outside our nursing office, and there are forms and envelopes available for any ideas that you might have that would greatly help us to improve our service.
Should you wish to make a complaint, please request a meeting with the ward managers or the nurse in charge to discuss your concerns.
There is free Wi-Fi (Internet) connectivity available throughout the premises. Open access PC is also available in the restaurant. Internet access on the wards will soon be available.
We have no ATM service and credit card payments are not available in the facilities.
A hairdressing service is available between 9am and 5pm, Tuesday to Friday.
Phone No: 01-406 8662. (Business cards are available from the office; please ask staff).
When booking an appointment, please ensure that it doesn’t interfere with your programme for that day.
There is no laundry service available within the Hospice. However, fresh towels are available to patients on a daily basis.
The use of mobile phones is restricted during all therapy sessions. In consideration of other patients, we request restricted use after 10.30pm. Mobile top-ups are available at the Main Reception desk.
Public payphones are located on some wards and by the Security Desk and Main Reception.
CCTV cameras monitor the hospice both internally and externally 24hrs a day. Any security incidents, including items lost or found, should be reported to the Security Office in the Palliative Care entrance hall.
To comply with current legislation, smoking is not permitted within the Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Disease Unit. There are dedicated smoking areas located outside the building.
The consumption of alcohol is strongly discouraged throughout your stay in the unit.
Free car parking is available for patients and visitors.
As part of the rehabilitation programme, we require patients to go home at weekends up to discharge time. You will be expected to make your own arrangements to go home. The unit closes on Fridays at 5pm and reopens on Monday at 8am.
Unless stated by the nurses or your therapists, you may return to the ward at a later time, approximately 10am.
Only in specific circumstances (i.e. if you are deemed medically unfit) will you be allowed to stay over during a weekend. In that case, staff will organise your transfer to another ward.
* A decision regarding a weekend stay can only be made by the team led by your consultant.
As the unit will be locked at weekends, you may leave some belongings behind if you wish.
Please ensure that the nurse gives you back your supply of medication, which you will require while away.
Visiting hours are restricted to:
Mon-Fri: 1.00pm-2.00pm
5.00pm-9.00pm
Sat & Sun: 11:00am-21:00pm
Opens daily for breakfast, lunch and tea. The restaurant closes at 4pm each day. Vending machines are situated in the restaurant area, serving tea/coffee and light snacks
