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During your stay

We want your stay to be as easy and comfortable as possible. We’ll tell you what to expect, where things are and who will look after you. 

If you have any questions during your stay with us, please ask any member of staff. 

How will I feel after my procedure?

This will depend on the type of anaesthetic and operation you’ve had, how much pain-relieving medication you need and your general health. General anaesthetics can cause side effects which are normally short-lived (last a few hours). You may feel tired or even exhausted for some days after the operation.

After major surgery this can last weeks or even months.

When can my family and friends visit?

Visiting times are 12noon to 8pm. To consider the needs of other patients, please limit yourself to 2 visitors. Unfortunately, we can’t allow flowers on the ward.

Your comfort during your stay

You can leave valuable items for safekeeping with a member of staff. 

Look after any items that you need to keep with you such as glasses, hearing aids and dentures. Our wards get very busy and we can not take responsibility for items that have not been given to us for safekeeping. 

Yes. We do ask that you keep noise to a minimum and consider other patients around you. We recommend bringing a pair of headphones to listen to music or watch videos and send text messages instead of calling relatives and friends.

Electronic devices can sometimes affect medical equipment. If a member of staff asks you to turn off your device, please do so.

Please do not take photos or record videos without permission from the person in the photo or video. It’s a breach of the Data Protection Act and Human Rights Act. 

Yes. It’s available across all of our hospitals. It’s an open network so you don’t need a password to log in. 

Yes. Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio (SMHR) broadcasts 24hrs a day online. You can also download their app or listen through the speaker systems across all our hospitals.  

The station provides music and information about what’s going on in and around our hospitals as well as local events. There’s a request show from 8pm to 10pm, Monday to Friday. 

Find out more about SMHR and how to listen  

Eating well and staying hydrated can help your recovery. We have a dedicated team who work across our hospitals to provide healthy, nutritious meals throughout the day. 

We serve 3 meals a day with a variety of choices.

Dietary requirements

We cater for specific dietary requirements, including:

  • food allergies
  • gluten free
  • healthy eating options
  • high energy / high protein diets
  • kosher
  • puree foods
  • religious and cultural requirements, for example, Halal
  • renal diets
  • soft foods
  • vegan and vegetarian.

Tell the nurse that admits you that you have a specific dietary requirement. If you have concerns whilst in hospital please speak to one of the nursing or housekeeping teams. They may refer you to a dietitian.

Protected mealtimes

We have a protected mealtime policy which means you won’t be interrupted while you eat. We ask visitors not to visit during mealtimes unless they want to help a patient eat their meal. Please speak to the nurse in charge to arrange this. 

Refreshments and snacks

We serve tea and coffee twice a day. You’ll have regular access to water. Ask a member of staff if you need a water jug refill. 

Relatives and friends can bring refreshments and snacks from home but please ask them to check suitability with a member of staff first. 

Help with eating

If you need help with eating, ask a member of staff. We use red trays and jugs which show ward staff which patients need extra help. 

We aim to provide a safe and welcoming environment. We don’t tolerate anti­social behaviour, violence or discrimination of any kind and, if necessary, we’ll take appropriate action. If something happens which makes you feel anything less than safe or welcome, please tell a member of staff straight away. 

You may be asked to wear a face mask during your stay. If so please read our guidelines on the importance of wearing a surgical mask.

Smoking   

We operate a non smoking policy, inside the hospital buildings, at our entrances or anywhere on our sites, including the car parks. This includes e­-cigarettes. The single biggest thing you can do to improve your health is stop smoking. 

If you’d like further help or support to stop smoking please visit the Stopping Smoking – Live Well Stay Well website   

Alcohol 

We can’t let patients drink alcohol as it can affect your treatment. 

If you have any communication needs 

If you have a hearing impairment, visual impairment, learning disability or speak/read little to no English, please tell us so that we can arrange additional support. 

Hearing loops are available on some wards for example, Accident and Emergency (also known as the Emergency Department). 

If you have spiritual, religious or cultural needs 

Our pastoral team is a multi-faith and belief team. They work with local faith and belief groups to arrange spiritual, pastoral and religious care for our patients.  

If you would like to speak confidentially to someone, we can offer compassionate support 

You can phone the team directly on 07557 633289. 

All of our chaplains provide chaplaincy support throughout the Trust. You can also request a bedside visit from a chaplain of your own faith or ask to see our Humanist Pastoral Carer.

If you’re an unpaid carer, or a family member cares for you

We offer additional support to unpaid family carers while you’re in hospital. We can help you to understand the discharge process and liaise with the hospital team as you prepare for the next steps after your hospital stay.

Call Carers Bucks on 0300 777 2722 or visit their website for information and advice.