
Coming into hospital
If you are coming into hospital as an inpatient, we want you to be as comfortable as possible.
Information and advice for patients coming into our hospitals can be found here:
We would encourage you to bring some items in with you and we have developed a checklist to help you pack these items for your stay.
As there is limited storage space, we ask that you or your carer pack the items in a small soft bag that will fit into your bedside locker. Do not worry if you can’t bring all of the items in with you, we can provide many of them for you and we will replace them if you do run out.
Below is some useful information for patients coming to our hospitals.
Important Information: Use of hospital face masks when coming to our hospitals
Hospital face masks had previously been required in all areas of Nottingham University Hospitals’ three sites since the start of the pandemic in March 2020 to protect staff, patients and visitors from COVID-19.
Under the new guidance that came into effect in June 2022, face masks will only be needed in clinical areas. They include all wards, outpatient areas and our Emergency Department, as well as the trust’s intensive care unit, neonatal intensive care unit, theatres and other areas where its most vulnerable patients are treated.
Michelle Rhodes, Chief Nurse for Nottingham University Hospitals, said: “Face masks have played a huge part in our efforts to protect many of our most vulnerable staff, patients and visitors from COVID-19 – and it’s important that continues in clinical areas of our hospitals.
“While we are now in a position to be able to cautiously step-down the need to wear face masks in corridors, retail outlets and restaurants, COVID-19 is still with us and we are continuing to treat dozens of patients with COVID-19 in our hospitals each and every day.
“We will make clear which areas of our hospitals you need to wear a hospital face mask in when you visit our hospitals and our message is clear: if you’re asked, please wear a mask.”
New signage will be placed across the trust’s sites to make clear where staff, patients and visitors still need to wear a mask in clinical areas.
Are you exempt from wearing a facemask?
If you need more information on wearing a facemask you can download and read our leaflet here:
Electronic devices and mobile phones
If you bring your own mobile phone or other electronic device (e.g. tablet) into hospital with you, please speak to ward staff about arrangements for you to use your device and to safely charge it. Unfortunately, there will be restrictions in some settings where you will be unable to use your own device so that we can maintain patient safety. Do not plug your device charger in without staff permission.
We will be making a small number of iPhones available on wards for patients to use so please ask a member of ward staff about this if you do need access to a phone to keep in touch with your family and friends.
Patient Guide: iPhone For Use click below to download
https://www.nuh.nhs.uk/download/doc/docm93jijm4n7506.pdf?ver=16104
Dropping off items
Relatives or friends cannot drop off items for you at the hospitals; again this decision has been made in our efforts to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Please see the Keeping in touch section that details ways that you are able to maintain contact with your loved ones and friends during your hospital stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Useful resources
Click below to download information on looking after yourself at home with suspected Coronavirus symptoms
NHS
- NHS advice for everyone about Covid-19
- NHS 111 online
- NHS App (a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone, tablet or other electronic device)
Local Authority
Care and Treatment
- Understanding Treatments and Outcomes in Critical Care (also known as Intensive Care)
- Understanding ReSPECT (Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment) Forms
- What is a DNACPR (Do not attempt CPR – sometimes also called DNR) note?