How to Survive In Hospital
Dr Vernon Coleman
Going into hospital is a frightening and worrying experience. The very smell and sound of a hospital is enough to make most peoples’ hearts beat faster.
When we go into hospital we are inevitably nervous about what is going to happen and anxious about the outcome. But on top of those natural fears we worry in case we do something silly or offend someone.
To the outsider hospitals seem full of important looking people in uniforms – all rushing round and all knowing exactly what they are doing.
1. Before you go into hospital try and find out as much as you can about the rules and regulations for patients and visitors. Good hospitals produce small booklets for new patients. Get one if you can. If the hospital you’re going to doesn’t produce a booklet or leaflet of its own then find out as much as you can over the telephone. You need to know when visiting times are; whether there are any special rules about children visiting; what buses stop near to the hospital and what car parking facilities there are for visiting. You also need to know what the different types of nurses’ uniform mean!
2. So that you’ll know what to expect find out what sort of ward you’ll be going into. Open plan wards may seem a little daunting but don’t be put off. The evidence shows that nurses can keep a closer eye on patients in large wards than they can when patients are cooped up in private rooms. If your condition is likely to require very special care then you may be put into an Intensive Care Unit or Coronary Care Unit. Children under 12 are usually put onto special children’s wards. But older children often go onto adult wards – where they’re usually much happier and invariably spoilt rotten by the nurses.
3. Carefully plan what to take with you.
Here is my basic check list:
• Any pills or medication that you normally take (that includes medicines that you have been prescribed by your GP, bought yourself or been given by an alternative medicine practitioner).
• Cleansing wipes so that you can clean the area around your bed, and wipe your hands before eating.
• Any letter of introduction written by your own doctor.
• Night clothes, dressing gown and slippers.
• Toilet bag with usual contents for an overnight stay.
• Small box or pack of paper tissues.
• Notepaper, pen and stamps. Coins for the telephone.
• Small, silent bedside clock.
• Enough money to buy a daily paper.
• A couple of books or magazines for light reading.
• Make up bag.
• Mobile phone and charger.
• Emergency food and drink supplies (in British hospitals).
Don’t take outdoor clothes or expensive jewellery (including watches) with you.
4. When you go into hospital do remember that however important all the people working there may seem to be none of them is as important as you are. They are all employed to look after you. If you are worried about something, or there is something you don’t understand then ask. The best person to ask for advice will probably be the most junior doctor. He or she will have all the information you need and will be on the ward many times during the day. And do remember that although you are in hospital you can still consult your family doctor if you want to. If you are unhappy about a planned operation or treatment programme and you want independent advice from someone you trust then telephone your family doctor and ask for his or her help. He or she can visit you in hospital, talk to your doctors and read your notes.
5. Once you are in hospital make sure you get out as soon as you can. Hospitals can be unhealthy places – full of nasty germs.
Taken from `How to stop your doctor killing you’ by Vernon Coleman. You can purchase a copy through the bookshop on www.vernoncoleman.com
Copyright Vernon Coleman October 2024
Home