Infection control
Please contact your clinical team prior to coming to hospital if you or anyone in your household have
- A new cough or flu like symptoms.
- Had diarrhoea and / or vomiting within the last two days.
Please clean your hands with the gel or wash your hands on arrival. If you have respiratory symptoms, you may be asked to wear a mask.
Your involvement in your care and treatment
When there are choices to be made about your treatment, we want to help you to understand your options and work with you to come to a decision that is right and safe for you.
It is important that during discussions with hospital staff they understand your views and that you feel involved as much as you want to be in decisions about your care.
We understand that it is difficult to remember questions.
It may be useful for you to think about asking these three specific questions.
- What are my options?
- What are the possible benefits and risks?
- How can we make a decision together that is right for me?
Dignity and respect
We are committed to creating a culture where everyone is treated with dignity and respect and an environment which is free from harassment, intimidation, bullying or victimisation.
Belongings
We provide a bedside cupboard for your personal belongings. Most cupboards are not able to be locked therefore we do not recommend using them for valuable items. Please avoid bringing valuables into hospital.
We are unable to accept liability for loss or damage to your property unless it is handed over for safekeeping and a receipt obtained.
Meals
Once you have been admitted to a ward you will be asked to choose from a menu. Snack boxes are available outside of usual meal times for any occasions where you miss a meal.
If you have any special requirements, please discuss these with the staff. The catering department can cater for many special dietary needs.
Relatives are asked not to bring in food for reasons of food safety and food allergen controls.
Visitors
You can find out more information about visiting.
Your stay on the ward
Posters on each ward will explain who’s who and what the uniforms mean. Overall responsibility for your care will remain with your consultant.
As this is a teaching hospital, it does mean students are part of the ward team and will participate in your care. All students are supervised by senior members of staff.
If you do not wish students to participate in your care, please mention this to a member of staff. Please be assured that this will in no way affect your treatment.
Most wards provide care for men and women, however you will only share a sleeping area with people of the same sex as you.
If you need intensive or specialist care, you may be nursed in an area with patients of the opposite sex e.g. critical care unit.
Carers and young carers are welcome
The care that we provide in hospital and in the community is a partnership between patients, carers, families and the healthcare team. We are committed to working with carers to meet the needs of patients.
Meeting your individual needs
If you have any individual needs such as mobility, communication, hearing or visual difficulties or religious or cultural needs, please discuss with the staff caring for you and we will do our best to meet them.
No smoking
Newcastle Hospitals are smoke-free
This means that you are not allowed to smoke anywhere in the hospital buildings and grounds.
Vaping is permitted only in outdoor areas, well away from buildings, entrances, and open windows.
The best thing you can do for your health and your recovery is to stop smoking and there is lots of help available – whether you want to stop while you are in hospital or for the long term.
You can speak to a member of your ward team to request a referral to the free stop smoking service who can offer support including free nicotine replacement therapy and other methods to help you quit. This help will continue after you are discharged.
