Before you come in to hospital

You may be feeling anxious about being in hospital but keeping you safe and well is a priority for the staff looking after you.

There are also simple things you can do to help keep yourself safe during your hospital stay, such as asking for help when needed, protecting yourself from slips and falls and helping to prevent blood clots.

NHS England provide tips on things you can do to look after your safety during your stay:

Simple steps to keep you safe during your hospital stay leaflet

BSL version - Simple steps to keep you safe during your hospital stay video

Assessing you before your surgery

Our Pre-operative Assessment team will make sure you are fit for surgery before you are booked in for a procedure.

You’ll get a health questionnaire by email, so make sure we have your email address, and that complete the questionnaire when it arrives in your inbox.

Your answers will help us decide if you need any further tests. For some patients, this will save a trip to hospital, or mean a shorter appointment.

This means we can see more people and we can make sure you are ready for your procedure, which can help improve your recovery.

When you arrive at hospital

At Maidstone Hospital you will begin your stay at the Admissions Lounge, where you can relax while you wait for your operation. Your visitors can wait with you.

We will ask you to phone the Admissions Lounge between 3.30pm and 4.30pm on the day before your planned surgery  and we will let you know when to arrive the next day.

If your doctor has instructed you not to eat (fast) before the operation, it's important you do not eat or drink anything – this includes light snacks or sweets. You may be able to drink water but check with your doctor.

You need an empty stomach during surgery so you do not vomit while you're under anaesthetic.

If your operation time is planned for later in day, we will tell you what this means for you.

When you come to Tunbridge Wells Hospital for a planned operation or procedure, you will be asked to go to the ward directly or, for day surgery, to the waiting area in the Short Stay Surgical Unit.

Having visitors while you are in hospital

Most patients will be able to have two visitors at the same time. You can also bring your tablet, iPad or phone to stay in touch with friends and relatives.

Bringing your medicines with you

When you come into hospital for a planned operation or procedure, it is very important you bring all your medicines with you. This is so we can give you the appropriate treatment.

You need to bring in all of the medicines that you are using, including any herbal medicines, vitamins and medicines that have been bought for you.

If you are a carer escorting a patient, please make sure you bring all of the patient’s medicines.

Please make sure you bring the medicines in their original boxes and bottles the pharmacist put them in, or you bought them in.

What to bring with you

When you come in for a planned operation or procedure, it is best to keep personal belongings to a minimum.

Please do not bring any valuable items with you as we cannot accept liability for items lost or damaged during your stay.

To make your stay as comfortable as possible we have put together a list of essential items that you will need to bring with you:

Day surgery 

  • medication
  • dressing gown
  • slippers

Inpatient 

  • Any medication you need to take
  • Toiletries: soap, shampoo, deodorant, flannel, shaving equipment, toothbrush and toothpaste (or denture cleanser and container)
  • Comb/hairbrush
  • Tissues
  • Clothes: pyjamas/nightdress, dressing gown, underwear, day clothes
  • Slippers
  • Shoes

You may also wish to bring with you:

  • Walking stick or walking aid you normally use
  • Drinks, such as squash
  • Small amount of loose change for newspapers, etc.
  • Phone or tablet and a charging cable.