Hospital Bag

I am CEV and my hospital bag is always packed, ready for an emergency.

Two unexpected heart attacks, one during the pandemic, meant the bag went in the ambulance with me, saving my family a lot of hassle.
No-one was allowed to visit or come near the ward, so thank goodness it was fully packed.
The most important thing was a phone charger and my phone, as staff were too rushed off their feet to answer the phones.

Marydoll would it be useful to provide a list of what to take?

Apart from pjs, undies and a soap bag I can only think of phone and charger. Can you take books and magazines, soft drinks etc or are these a no no?

I think it would be useful to have a bag packed, but not if some items are not allowed.

I've put some small cartons of drinks and a few oat biscuits in the bag. The same charger is used for my kindle and phone so I know that, if needed, I just add the three things.
There was a list in one of the many 'death letters' (named so by my husband!) but I can't find the bundle of letters at the moment. We've had work done on the house and I don't know where I put them.

I was in Coronary care in January of this year, there were no restrictions on what I had in my bag.
However, because of Covid, there were no magazines or newspapers in the ward, probably to stop people sharing.

•Two pairs of pyjamas (although, initially I was in a
hospital gown)
•Dressing gown
•Sports bra (I was in a mixed ward)
•A few pairs of pants
•Slippers
•Socks (my feet were frozen)
•Toilet bag
•Baby wipes
•Sanitiser
•Bath towel
•Hand towel
•Book
•Charger
•Small notebook and pen
•A packet of biscuits for last cup of tea (to mask the taste of the tea)

Apart from the biscuits and phone, these items remain permanently in the small cabin bag. There is a red ribbon tied to the handle, so that my DH and children can easily find them.

Thank goodness I was so well prepared. I never saw my husband from the moment I went into the ambulance, until he picked me up in my pyjamas, at the fire door of the discharge lounge.

If I can think of anything else, I will come back and post.

I forgot to say taht because I was CEV, I was shunted around until they could find a bed in a designated, Covid free room! Scary stuff!!

In addition to things mentioned by others I always have a copy of my prescription and 2 days supply, in case the pharmacy is closed.

Thank you ladies. I've put a copy of the letter from the hospital respiratory department to my GP in the bag, together with a prescription. I've put one of each of my inhalers and a few blood pressure pills in too.

One of my I-pads is a must.
Always got one charged up, just in case.

I have been in hospital around 6 times over the past two years and with being able to see and talk to my family on Facetime helped to keep me going.

I also forgot to mention my huge box of medications went too, with a laminated sheet of when they should be taken. I'm on twenty different ones, plus inhalers. The nurses said it made their lives so much easier.
Going on past experience, some of the specialised ones were not readily available in the hospital pharmacy.

... I would add

remember to top up your mobile if you're PAYGO

anti-bacterial wipes
nail scissors + nail file
your medical notes from last admission if you have them
extra plastic bags (or bin liners)

I have been in hospital recently, and the one think I forgot was a bottle of hand sanitiser. There was some at the bottom of the bed for the staff to use, but as I had limited movement, I couldn’t reach it!

*Thing, not think

MandL, I suppose a packet of baby wipes would be useful for a bit of a clean up as well.

Yes, I think they would be useful too. Hopefully you won’t need any of it as you will stay healthy but it’s worth being prepared.

Thankfully, here in Glasgow, all my medical notes, both from GP and various hospitals are all accessible on the system, so no need to bring any medical paperwork or prescriptions sheets. My clinicians are able to read notes from different consultants, without any trouble.
Years ago there were paper copies in hospitals across the Glasgow area and it was a nightmare to collate my notes.

I have packed a hospital case and put in things which have been listed in the posts above. I have also packed a small selection of talking books, player and earphones. I use them at night to have me go to sleep.

It is helpful also if you have a piece of paper or whatever with your next of kin and in my case, I would also add power of attorney.

Did anybody mention tissues?

Lip salve ( to use on nose if oxygen needed) and moisturiser can also be helpful.

I'm not sure if you can take a bag on to a Covid ward.

Hospital gowns are provided and toiletries are donated by various groups (a group I belong to was asked to donate toiletries and have contributed).

Perhaps local rules apply.

You are correct, Calistemon. I didn't have Covid, so it was allowed.

I was in hospital recently and I found my I pad invaluable as I can’t see my phone as good

Sometimes in an emergency, we have to go to hospital in a hurry and there is no time to grab the likes of tablets and I pads. That happened to me on the last two occasions. At least the bag was ready.
Due to Covid restrictions, I had to rely on my phone, as nothing could be brought to patients, but I could hardly see it!

When I had an overnight stay a couple of years ago, I made sure I grabbed my phone and charger, as I knew it would be essential. When I got back home I packed a hospital bag but didn’t keep it long when my fears of being admitted as an emergency subsided. Great tips from everybody!

I was on a Covid ward in January and all normal clothing such as pjs, dressing gown, slippers, socks, and underwear was allowed. Also any personal things, toiletries and iPad etc. All towels were provided by the hospital and changed each day. They also provided small bars of soap if needed. As I was taken in to hospital in a hurry (ambulance arrived 15 minutes after I was told I was going in) I only took a few things that I told my husband to put into a bag, but family were allowed to take other things into the hospital and leave them at a reception point near the door, and the things were brought to you the same day.