Our priority while you are in hospital is to keep you safe and well. There are things that can help recovery and make a stay in hospital more comfortable.
What to bring in
- Clean day clothes as well as night wear. Getting up and dressed helps recovery and keeps patients independent and mobile. Choose comfortable clothes such as elasticated trousers and loose-fitting tops, as well as socks and underwear.
- Shoes. Well-fitting shoes or slippers will help reduce falls.
- Toiletries. Anything needed for an overnight stay, such as toothbrush and toothpaste, denture solution and holder, body wash or soap, shampoo, a hairbrush and incontinence pads if needed.
- Any usual aids. Things such as glasses, hearing aids, and any walking aids such as a walking stick.
- Any usual medication. Ideally in the prescription box it came in.
- Something to engage the mind. A book, newspaper, or puzzle book.
- Sleeping aids. Ear plugs, headphones or eye masks. Hospital wards can be busy places, even during the night. These can also be purchased at the hospital League of Friends shop on site.
- Phone charger.
If the patient is in hospital for longer than a week, please collect dirty clothing to be washed and bring in more clothes. We will want to encourage them to get up and dressed to help their mobility.
What to take home
- Any small valuable items such as jewellery.
- Any large amounts of cash.
- Any items that are not essential.
We cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage of belongings unless deposited for safekeeping.
Carers
A carer is anyone who provides support to someone unable to manage everyday tasks due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction.
Please tell ward colleagues if you are a carer for the patient. If you would like to, you can be involved in their care, for example helping with mealtimes.
Yeovil District Hospital
The Health and Wellbeing Hub is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. The hub provides support to people living with a long-term health condition and those that are living or caring for someone with a lifelong health condition. As well as providing support, advice and sign posting to other agencies that will support and empower individuals and enable self-management.
Musgrove Park Hospital
Our carer support worker is available Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm. They are the point of contact for any carers that are accessing the hospital with a patient that they care for and is able to offer advice, support and share information on further support available.
For translation into other languages, Braille, large print or audio, please ask a member of the team.
TW/PEX/WTBTH/DEC24