Inpatient information
On admission
You will receive a letter giving you instructions about your admission, including any essential information. If you are not able to keep your appointment for any reason, please call and let us know as soon as possible.
Please go directly to the ward on your admission letter, or visit main reception and ask for directions to your ward.
After welcoming you to your ward, a nurse will show you to your bed, which will have a bedside cabinet for your personal belongings. They may also start discussions with you about the plans for your discharge, as evidence shows getting home as soon as you are well is really important for recovery.
Depending on your condition, you are likely to have a number of tests, followed by treatment. All procedures, operations and other treatments will be explained to you. You will be asked to sign a consent form for the treatment proposed.
If you have any questions or concerns about your treatment at any time, please alert your nurse or consultant. This ensures we can quickly resolve any difficulties or misunderstandings. All of our staff should be wearing an identity badge and introduce themselves.
Consent
You may be having an operation or treatment or investigation that requires you to sign a consent form. Before signing, the doctor will explain what is going to happen. Remember to ask questions if you are not sure or do not understand.
Medicines
While you are here, your hospital doctor will review any medicines you have been taking. It is sometimes necessary for staff to continue using your own medicines for you until our pharmacy has dispensed a new supply. If any of your own medicines are discontinued by the hospital doctor, our pharmacy is able to safely dispose of them on your behalf.
Make sure you understand about the medicines you take home at the end of your stay. If you are not clear, ask to speak to one of our pharmacists.
If you are unsure about your medicines once you are at home, you can call our Pharmacy Department. You'll need to tell them your name, the ward you were on, the date you went home and have the medicines with you when you call. The Pharmacy Department contact telephone number is 0300 019 2127 (Poole) and for the Pharmacy at Royal Bournemouth Hospital, please call the main switchboard and ask for Pharmacy
How long will I be in hospital?
You will have been given an indication of how long your stay is likely to be. This may change as your treatment and care progress, however, so please ask your nurse or doctor if they feel your planned day for going home has, or is likely to change.
If drugs are needed, they will be ordered from our pharmacy for you to take with you and any clinic appointments can usually be made fairly quickly by phone or sent on to you afterwards.
