Influence your own care

We encourage you as our patient to take part in decisions made about your treatment. This is the most important way to get the best care for your needs. On this page you will find information on how you can get involved in your own healthcare and how your family, friends and others can help you.

Take an active role in your own healthcare

Ask us questions

It's perfectly okay to ask us questions. We are happy to explain your care to you and we don't mind if you need us to explain it in a way that you understand. 

If you have a number of questions about your health and care, it can help to write them down before an appointment or before a member of staff comes to your ward. This will make sure all your questions get answered. You can take notes while we explain if that helps you, and you can also have a family member or carer with you for an appointment if that helps too.

Have a friend or family member talk to us

You could ask a trusted family member or friend to speak to us on your behalf. They can ask questions that you may not be able to think of while you are under stress. They can also help remember answers to questions you have asked, take notes and speak up for you if you are unable to. It's important that you make sure that your friend or family member understands your preferences for care and your wishes while in hospital.

Get to know the team

Ask who will be in charge of your care when you're in hospital. Feel free to ask staff caring for you their names. Staff will introduce themselves to you when they meet you and you can ask to see their identification if you like. 

Help prevent mix-ups

Tell us if something doesn't seem quite right to you. If you think you have received incorrect information about your care or health, been given food you may be allergic to or if you think you are about to receive the wrong medication please tell us and we will check for you. 

Do not hesitate to tell us if you think we may have mixed you up with another patient with the same name. Before we give you any medications or treatment, make sure we confirm your identity. We do this by checking your wristband or asking your name. We encourage you to tell us your name and show us your wristband if you're feeling uncertain about if you should be receiving medications or treatments.

See this Medical Council issued booklet for more helpful information on working with your doctors and healthcare professionals to help you take an active role and get the most from your healthcare. 

Hygiene

Do not hesitate about asking your visitors or any staff to wash their hands. Feel free to remind or ask people if they have washed their hands and used alcohol gel.  Hand washing is the most important way to prevent the spread of infections in the hospital.

Helpful information on pharmacy services and taking your medication

As a patient, you will generally need to take medications while you are in hospital as part of your treatment. You may also need to continue taking medications when you go home from hospital. The below document will provide you with useful information regarding your medications before, during and after your hospital stay.

Get to Know Me

The getting to know me profile will help staff support loved ones. It will help us to get to know the patient better to understand who and what is important, and how the patient likes things to be. Please download the form and fill in as much details as you can. Please return the form to us in person, or post to the relevant ward.