How we support you
Coming to hospital for treatment can feel overwhelming for you and your family. We understand that you and your relatives may need additional support and help during your stay or visit.
Find out here about our practical and emotional support and guidance, and how you can access it.
Being in hospital can be difficult and stressful for patients, and the family and friends who support them. It can be emotionally and spiritually unsettling, affecting one’s normal sense of wellbeing and making it harder to cope with illness or injury. As chaplains we are available to come alongside patients, visitors and staff and provide spiritual, pastoral and religious support, whether a religious belief is held or not.
Find out more about how we provide spiritual and pastoral care for all our patients.
We know how important it is for you to keep in touch with friends and relatives who have to be in our hospitals. We also understand that it’s not always possible for you to visit in person, so we offer a couple of ways for you to keep in touch on regularly.
Letter to a loved one
How it works
- Write your message in an email or in a Word document and attach it to the email
- Attach 1 photo to the email if you’d like to
- We’ll print your letter (and photo), put it in an envelope and deliver it to your loved one
We’ll need:
- your loved one’s full name
- their date of birth
- their postcode
- their NHS number if you have it.
Please send your email to bht.lettertoalovedone@nhs.net. Unfortunately we can’t enter into a discussion via this address.
Delivery
Letters received before 10am from Monday to Friday will be delivered on the same day. Those received after 10am will be delivered the next day.
We’ll deliver letters received over the weekend on the following Monday.
Virtual visits
We support our patients to have video calls for those who can’t visit in person.
We can help patients do this with their own phones or through our own iPads specifically for this purpose.
To arrange a virtual visit call our Patient Liaison Service (PALS):
01296 316042
9am-4pm, Monday to Friday
When someone approaches the end of their life, it can be an intensely emotional and confusing time for them and their loved ones. We deliver person centred, safe and compassionate end of life care in partnership with the patient and those important to them. We recognise that death and dying is a fundamental part of life and it’s a core part of the care we provide.
We provide practical support for families by removing inconvenient worries about such things as parking and visiting hours, and allowing loved ones more time to focus on each other.
Call the palliative care team on 01296 332600.
For patients who have passed away in hospital, we have a dedicated bereavement service to support you during this difficult time.
Our bereavement admin team will help you to complete the necessary paperwork and will give you information about contacting the Registrar’s office.
Find out more about our bereavement support and end of life care
Carers Bucks provides free information, advice and emotional support to unpaid carers who have relatives in hospital, and beyond the hospital stay.
Call 0300 777 2722 during working hours and ask for the hospital support team.
Visit the Carers Bucks website for more information.
Supporting a vulnerable relative
You may support a vulnerable relative and feel concerned what will happen to them if you become ill.
If you’re unable to support your relative, and there are no other family or friends to stand in, please contact the council 0300 131 6000. They will link you up with local support.
If you’re coming to hospital and need extra help for a disability, impairment or a specific communication requirement please contact the ward or department you’re visiting. We’ll do our best to meet your needs.
Wheelchair access
All main entrances to our main hospital sites have wheelchair access.
Wheelchairs are available, please check with reception staff.
Disabled parking
All of our hospital car parks have disabled parking spaces. At some sites we have disabled parking at the front of the building.
Please display your blue badge clearly.
Hearing loops
Some of our departments have audio induction loops – please ask staff if a hearing loop is available on your arrival in the department.
Interpreting and translation
If you need an interpreter to help you communicate during a hospital appointment, please contact the ward or department that you’re attending. You’ll find contact details on your hospital appointment letter.
For information regarding interpreting and translation enquiries including British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters, please contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS).
Call 01296 316042 or email bht.pals@nhs.net.
Our PALS team are available between 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
Patients with learning disabilities and autism
We have specialist nurses that provide support for adult patients with learning disabilities and autism. They help with communication, care needs and support for families and carers.
Hospital car service
If you’re registered with a GP in Buckingham, Steeple Claydon or Winslow, you can get transport from home to and from your hospital appointments. A volunteer driver from the hospital car service will pick you up and wait for you while you attend your appointment.
Find out more including how to book and fees, depending on where you live.
Help with transport costs
The NHS Healthcare Travel Costs scheme can help towards your travel costs. You may qualify for help if you’re referred to hospital or other NHS premises for specialist NHS treatment or diagnostic tests.
Find out more about help towards your travel costs
Even small changes can help you achieve your healthy lifestyle goals and Be Healthy Bucks offers support to help you find the service that’s right for you.
Be Healthy Bucks is a free health and wellbeing service that can make a real difference to your quality of life.
Their tailored support focuses on creating long-lasting behaviour change by helping people make healthier lifestyle choices. They offer services for adults, children and young people across Buckinghamshire which include:
- Smoking cessation
- Community-based NHS Health Checks
- Adult weight management
- Child weight management
- Support to reduce alcohol consumption
Website: https://bhb.maximusuk.co.uk