Top 10 tips

• Use the alcohol hand rub at the entrance to wards or departments when you arrive and when you leave
• Remind other members of your family and friends to wash their hands too
• Do not sit or lie on your relative's bed
• Do not visit if you have symptoms of sickness and diarrhoea or have been in contact with someone who has had sickness and diarrhoea within the last 2 days
• Do not visit if you are unwell particularly if you have a temperature or rash. If in doubt please ask the nurse in charge for advice
• Do not bring in foods that require reheating. We are unable to reheat food due to food hygiene regulations
• Flowers are not accepted in all wards so please check with the nurse in charge before you buy any
• If your relative is being cared for in a side room they may have an infection, please ask for advice from the nurse in charge
• If you find an area of the hospital that is not clean please let someone who works in that area know
• If you think another patient needs assistance please call a nurse

You and members of your family or close friends should be asking questions about your friend/relative’s care. There is no such thing as a silly question. 

You should feel free to ask any questions you feel appropriate.  If you have any anxieties or fears about your friend/ relative’s treatment you must discuss these with the patient’s doctor.  Other member’s of staff are not in a position to answer these types of questions - they can arrange for you to talk to a doctor.

If your question is about the ward environment or more general care please ask a nurse who will be happy to assist you as soon as they have finished their present task. 

Please do not ask questions of nursing or medical staff when they are administering drugs to patients.

A few basic questions you should ask about the care of your friend or relative include:

• Which consultant is in charge of their treatment?
• Who is the Matron responsible for their care?
• Who are the Ward sisters in charge of this ward?
• What medication are they on?
• What side effects can they expect from this medication?
• How do I find out about the after-care they will require?

All our staff should be bare below the elbow at all times in clinical areas.  If you see a member of staff who is not please feel free to ask them why not and if this is on a ward tell the Sister or Matron immediately.