Coming in for a hospital stay

If you are going to be admitted to hospital and need to stay overnight or longer, then you are an inpatient. A hospital stay of one to three nights is called a short stay. A stay over three nights is called a long stay.

Please check your admission information for details of when you should come into hospital, which ward to attend and what to bring with you.

We aim to provide the highest standards of care and hope that your stay will be as pleasant and comfortable as possible.

We understand that you may be nervous, but we are here to help. Please do not hesitate to raise any worries or questions you may have.

This section provides information about how to prepare for your stay in hospital and for your operation if you are having surgery, what to expect during your stay and information for your visitors.

If we must cancel your surgery

We never take the decision of cancelling any surgery lightly and we know how distressing this is for everyone involved.  However, we cannot in good faith bring patients in for their operation if we do not have a bed somewhere safe to look after them following their surgery.

When we cancel an operation we will do everything we can to reschedule that surgery, but emergency patients and patients with cancer will always take priority.

If you would like to speak to someone about your cancelled operation, please contact the number on your appointment letter or our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 08081 788337.

Your stay - bedside information for patients

Your stay - bedside information for patients (Gujarati)

Your stay - bedside information for patients (Punjabi)

Your stay - bedside information for patients (Polish)