If you’ve been referred for a day patient or day case appointment, it means you’ll be given a hospital bed for tests or surgery but will not stay overnight.

Day patient appointments last at least half a day. We give people day patient appointments for things like:

  • minor surgery
  • dialysis
  • chemotherapy

Once your appointment has been made, you’ll receive a letter from us with everything you need to know. This will include instructions about how to prepare for your appointment.

On the day of your appointment, go to the department named on your letter.

A member of staff will welcome you to the hospital and explain the process to you. They’ll also give you an identity bracelet to wear during your stay.

When you arrive on the ward, please wash your hands with the hand gel provided. Doing this helps us to minimise the spread of infection.

  • your appointment letter
  • medicines prescribed by your GP in their original packaging (including tablets, liquids, creams, eye drops, inhalers, sprays, insulin and patches)
  • glasses, hearing aids, walking aids
  • slippers
  • dressing gown (if having dialysis or a minor operation)
  • a book, magazine or mp3 player
  • wear comfortable clothes

 

Mobile phones, tablets and laptops

Mobile phones, tablets and laptops are allowed in hospital. However, you will not be able to charge your laptop as they cannot be plugged in to our electrical system.

There are some areas of the hospital where mobile phones cannot be used. This will be clearly signposted.

Please do not take any photographs on your mobile phone or tablet while you’re in hospital. This is to protect patient confidentiality.

If you’re appointment is in chemotherapy you can bring 1 friend or family member with you to keep you company.

You can find out about meal times and facilities like wifi, cafes, shops and spiritual care available at your hospital on our Location pages.

You might be asked to sign a consent form for your treatment. You can refuse treatment at any time, even if you have signed a consent form. You can read more about consenting to treatment on the NHS website. 

You can read more about having surgery and what it involves on the NHS website. You can also download leaflets about the different types of anaesthesia here.

All our hospitals are smoke free sites. This means there’s no smoking allowed anywhere on the property. This includes outside entrances and in our car parks and grounds.

If you’d like a temporary nicotine replacement, you can ask ward staff to give this to you. You can also use e-cigarettes and vapes outside the hospital, if you stand 10 metres away from the building.

If you’d like help to quit smoking, support is available. Visit nhs.uk/smokefree to find out more. 

If you’ve had surgery that requires a general anaesthetic, you’ll be moved to recovery area. We’ll monitor your condition and make sure you’ve had something to eat and drink. Usually you’ll have to stay with us for at least 2 hours after your procedure.

If we’re happy with how you’re doing, we’ll give you some advice about how to look after yourself at home and then you’ll be discharged. Depending on your condition, you might also see a dietician, occupational therapist or physiotherapist before you go home.
 

Medication

If you need any additional medication to continue your treatment at home, we’ll give this to you before you go. Please make sure you know how to take it before you leave, we’ll be happy to answer your questions.

After you leave, we’ll write to your GP to let them know about your care in hospital. We’ll also let them know if they need to make changes to your repeat prescriptions.
 

Leaving hospital check list:
  • make sure you have all your belongings
  • keep your house keys handy
  • return any hospital property
  • make sure the Ward Clerk has your address and GP information
  • ask for your discharge letter
  • ask if you need an outpatients appointment
  • ask for your medication and make sure there’s enough to last until you see your GP
     
Transport home

Your doctor might organise for you to be taken home by the Patient Transport Service. If not, you’ll need to make your own arrangements for going home. If you’ve had a general anaesthetic it’s best to arrange for a friend or family member to collect you.

If you’re on a low income or receive benefits, you could be entitled to get help with your travel costs. You can find out if you are eligible here.