Simple steps to keep you safe during your hospital stay

Make staff aware if you need extra help to communicate, or need support from a friend, carer or family member.

Also let staff know if you need any assistance, have any needs, or have any questions or concerns.

This is important as your wristband will be checked by staff to confirm you are the right patient before they give you medication or carry out tests.

Tell someone right away if any of the information on your hospital wristband is wrong.

Tell staff if you have any allergies, such as to certain medicines, foods or materials like latex or plasters.

Tell a member of staff before taking any medicines you brought into hospital with you, including any pain relief, vitamins or supplements.

This is important as they can sometimes react with new medicines or treatments you might be given in hospital.

Also tell staff if you have any medical alert cards or use any devices, for example, an insulin pump.

Ask a member of staff:

• if you don’t understand what any new medicines are for and why you need to take them
• if you have questions about possible side effects.

• Take short walks, if you are able to.
• Do simple leg and ankle exercises.
• Drink plenty of water, or other fluids, unless staff have told you not to.
• You might also need to have injections to thin your blood.

• Regularly change position in bed.
• Ask staff to help you move if you find it difficult.
• Staff can also get you a special mattress or cushion if you need them.

When walking around the hospital:

• wear the right kind of footwear, such as snug fitting slippers or shoes with rubber soles, such as trainers
• use the walking aid you normally use
• wear your glasses and hearing aids if you have them
• ask a member of staff to help if you need any support.

• Always wash your hands after going to the toilet and before all meals.
• Ask staff and visitors if they’ve washed or sanitised their hands before they have contact with you.
• Tell staff right away if you have any diarrhoea or vomiting.
• Let staff know if any tubes or needles attached to you become uncomfortable.

Make sure you:

• Understand when you will receive your hospital discharge letter and any follow up appointments
• Have been given any medicines to take at home; and you know what they’re for and how to take them
• Know who to contact if you have any questions about your care or follow up arrangements.