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hospital bag

(89 Posts)
travelsafar Thu 19-Mar-20 09:30:28

This morning i will be packing a bag just in case. PJ's, toiletries, list of meds a book and anything else i might need if by chance i am unlucky enough to become ill. I will do one for DH too. I am also going to spend time dealing with finances, funeral plans and will so everything is in one place. I know this sounds a bit depressing but i think it is essential.
I wil also be writing to a couple of friends and and 92 year old lady that i know. Then hopefully later on a brisk walk round the block to post letters. What are you doing today.

Greeneyedgirl Thu 19-Mar-20 17:51:10

GabrielleG54 I am completely on your wave length. Only a small percentage of us will be bad enough to go into hospital, and if you do, a nightie is the last thing you'll want, certainly no books etc.
I haven't enough room to stockpile and even in Italy, which is apparently worse than China now, I don't believe people are starving to death.
We have to keep a sense of proportion or we'll go mad with anxiety.
Most of us will survive.

TrendyNannie6 Thu 19-Mar-20 17:49:49

I do have a hospital bag packed just essentials, and not just because of the Coronavirus, it’s at the bottom of my wardrobe where it will stay hopefully and not be needed, I like to be organised

Callistemon Thu 19-Mar-20 17:45:18

grin



I hope that's the right way round

GabriellaG54 Thu 19-Mar-20 17:41:22

Dear Callie
?️
Pax
Gabs

??

loopyloo Thu 19-Mar-20 17:34:56

Don't forget your phone and a charger! And front door keys.

Callistemon Thu 19-Mar-20 17:33:24

Gabriella I do apologise for calling you by a nickname, it was rude of me.

I can assure you it wasn't me who reported your now deleted post and I can't even remember what it said.

silverlining48 Thu 19-Mar-20 17:23:37

I had my first ever night in hospital last year and packed a small bag with pjs, slippers and d.gown as requested. Was given a hospital open backed outfit, wore the slippers and dressing gown to get to the loo but forgot a toothbrush.

grannyactivist Thu 19-Mar-20 17:17:48

Not generally packed into a bag, but I do keep essentials in a drawer ready to be swept into a bag quickly along with my drug dispenser, phone and iPad. If my military son-in-law is on a posting they're put into a bag, which I pray I will never need.

wildswan16 Thu 19-Mar-20 16:59:46

I live on my own and have always had a small bag with essentials in just in case I am ever taken to hospital.

Trying to explain to a relative where everything is would be a nightmare. Obviously in the case of an admittance as an emergency to intensive care or for an infectious disease such as Covid 19 - having a toothbrush etc is probably unnecessary. However, it is a sensible thing to have ready.

Sussexborn Thu 19-Mar-20 16:23:46

When I had DD1 a woman was rushed in (her friend having lost the way en route). Her husband brought in her going home clothes and chose a beautiful cocktail dress as it was his favourite. She left him tinned new potatoes but he didn’t know how to use a tin opener.

Daisymae Thu 19-Mar-20 15:54:08

Excellent idea which I have been thinking about. When my DH was rushed off in an ambulance I only managed to take half of what he needed, packing in a blind panic. Equally it could be me going off this time!

MissAdventure Thu 19-Mar-20 15:49:05

Everyone should, really.
I haven't, but people prepare bags ready for when they have a baby due, and that usually takes a lot longer to happen than being whisked into hospital.

rosenoir Thu 19-Mar-20 15:47:04

Before the virus did people have a bag packed ready?

Surely you are more likely to have a stroke,heart attack or accident that requires an ambulance.

eazybee Thu 19-Mar-20 15:45:45

When I went into hospital for a pre-planned operation I packed a small bag with essentials, only to be told by the nurse to send it home with my daughter as I would not be going back to the same ward and the bag would probably get lost.

Gabriella, they are not getting at you again are they?
It is so good to read your posts, breath of fresh air.

GabriellaG54 Thu 19-Mar-20 15:15:02

To whom it may concern...my response

MissAdventure Thu 19-Mar-20 14:53:11

It's certainly worth taking a list of meds, because them actually supplying you with the same ones, in the same doses takes ages. (If it happens at all)

GrannyLaine Thu 19-Mar-20 14:29:41

I'm surprised that anyone would find the idea of having a collection of necessary items to hand in any way ridiculous. I did this years ago, not specifically for hospital admission but for any emergency. Last year when I received the dreaded phone call that my Mum had been found collapsed and was in a very bad way, I was able to just grab those things and GO although I still had a 3 hour drive to get to her. I'd have found it difficult to think clearly about what I might need. And don't make me laugh about my nearest and dearest packing a bag for me..........

FlexibleFriend Thu 19-Mar-20 14:05:35

I packed a bag for hospital admission 18 months ago that was cancelled, the bag was left in the bottom of my wardrobe in case the admission was rearranged but the bag is still there just in case. I doubt I'll need it but it's there anyway should I need it.

Callistemon Thu 19-Mar-20 13:30:59

Stay safe and well Gabriella

My bag is packed just in case.
No makeup, nor even a hairbrush
Just soap, towels, toothbrush and paste and pjs.
Even if it's not needed anyway for hygiene or any other reason
Be prepared

GabriellaG54 Thu 19-Mar-20 13:20:00

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

travelsafar Thu 19-Mar-20 13:16:51

SalsaQueen in answer to your question, yes my DH has COPD and although he has been staying at home and i am extremely careful about washing hands and changing clothes,when i come in, it is me who has to do everything outside of the home. If he caught it from me and was in hospital i would be home alone if i caught it. I cant see why so many think it is not a good thing to do??? My back pack is now sitting on top of the wardrobe out of the way where it always sits, it just has things inside it now. As for my will i did that years ago but i am just putting it with insurance policies and funeral plans into a folder all together. Makes sense to me

EllanVannin Thu 19-Mar-20 13:10:40

Because I have A/F which is unpredictable and at one point was unstable, ( those who'll know about this ) I've had to have " things " put to one side, a new pack of Asda knickers and a pair of light/silky PJ's and a pair of those " spa slippers " that you can throw in the machine. Spare dressing gown hanging on the back of the bedroom door.

I don't tempt providence by making up a " hospital bag ". They're just rolled up together in the nightwear compartment of the wardrobe. Medication is the most important thing to take in case you have to have some kind of treatment.

Other times when I've been admitted in day-clothes I've usually been stabilized and discharged before evening from the assessment ward.
It's the never knowing that gets on my nerves. Chances can't be taken when your heart rate is 180/200 beats per minute over a period of time. It's pretty exhausting but I get over it and have done for the past 30 years !
My longest stay back in 2006 was 2 and a half days, so I haven't got one foot in the grave-----yet !

winterwhite Thu 19-Mar-20 12:52:12

I'm with Gabriella here. DH knows where I keep my clean nighties and pants, more or less what bathroom essentials to pick, and the shelf where I keep my comfort reading. Ditto me for him. We've each had to exercise these skills over the years. Hospitals give out those frightful gowns, paper knickers soap and toothpaste in the middle of the night and I've known that too and come through it. Where do you all keep your bags? Important for me is that I'd hate to be constantly seeing it around. Trying to keep house as worry-free a place as possible.

GardenerGran Thu 19-Mar-20 12:52:00

GagaJo yes as long as the witnesses don’t inherit. We did a WHSmith one for my brother in a rush just before he died and we were executors also. We didn’t have a problem as long as you follow the guidelines. Later when we had to see a solicitor re setting up a trust she was very sniffy about it calling it a “home-made” will but we had no problem getting probate.

SalsaQueen Thu 19-Mar-20 12:48:43

travelsafar That sounds extremely depressing {shock}. Are you likely to be in contact with anyone who has symptoms?