Preparing for a hospital visit or stay

What to bring to hospital

Before your hospital stay you need to arrange a few things:

• someone who can bring things you might need, such as a change of clothes, as well as do your laundry
• someone who can let your friends and family know how you are
• if you live on your own, someone to check your house and look after any pets
• accommodation for whānau or family who want to be close to you while you are in hospital
• someone to take you home when you are discharged

If you are planning a hospital stay, this checklist might be helpful. If you are helping a whānau member or friend during their stay, please see that they have these things: 

• light, fitting clothes for a couple of days and a bag for laundry
• good-fitting shoes, sandals, or slippers to help avoid a fall
• daily toiletries, moisturiser and lip balm
• glasses or other reading aids
• hearing aids (and the case) with spare batteries.
• medicines packed into a container with your current medicines card (yellow card) 
• health aids such as a CPAP machine, inhaler or walking aid
• reading material
• personal devices: tablet computer, laptop or mobile phone and chargers for each. There is free wi-fi available. 
• ear buds or headphones for personal devices so that noise from them doesn't bother other patients

• documents such as power of attorney or an advance care plan so people know what your wishes are if you can’t communicate them easily

Please also:

• keep jewellery and valuables at home (a wedding ring or pounamu are okay to wear)
• bring a small amount of cash only
• be aware that there is limited storage space around a hospital bed.

The hospital cannot accept responsibility for the security of personal items. Please ask ward staff to lock away any items that are valuable to you. 

We encourage patients to get up and dressed during their stay in hospital.

Getting patients out of bed, dressed in their own clothes and walking helps them feel stronger, recover more quickly and be less likely to fall.

Research has shown that patients who stay in their pyjamas or hospital gowns for longer than they need lose fitness and muscle strength quickly, have a higher risk of infection, and ultimately stay in hospital longer.

Help your loved one feel better, more independent and mobile by bringing in a change of clothes, well-fitting walking shoes, sandals or slippers (which are easy to put on) and encourage them to get up, get dressed and, with support, back walking.

This advice, and a copy of the packing list, is available to download and print as the Managing an unexpected hospital stay pamphlet.

Your stay in hospital

Here is some information about the staff and services to help you and your whanau during your stay in hospital.

During your stay in hospital you will be cared for by registered nurses and healthcare assistants. The healthcare assistants work under the delegation and direction of the registered nurses. We aim to provide continuity with the same nurse assigned to you during your stay in hospital but due to rotating shifts at times this is not possible.

Our hospitals provide clinical education and training for student doctors, nurses and other health professionals. Nursing students from Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, working alongside a registered nurse, may care for you during your stay.

Students will always identify themselves and will ask your permission before discussing your care or examining you. 

Students are supervised by qualified staff at all times and if you do not want them to participate in your care, just say so – they will not be offended. 

• Hospital social workers 
• Chaplains
• Interpreters
• Te Waka Hauora Maori health service representatives

All staff wear photo ID badges. Please ask for ID from any person who is not known to you. If they are not able to provide ID please notify a staff member immediately.

When you are admitted to hospital, an identity bracelet is placed around your wrist.  This bracelet has important information on it and staff will check it to make sure they are treating the right person. This bracelet must stay on while you are in hospital.

Most patients in our hospitals share a room. People who are very sick are usually given a single room. Once their condition improves they may be moved into a shared room.

Usually there are separate four-bed rooms for men and women. Children up to age 15 are admitted to the Children’s Ward.  We encourage parents or caregivers to stay with their child, as it is an important part of the child’s recovery to have a familiar member of the family helping to care for them. Some fold down beds or chairs are available for one parent or a caregiver to sleep beside their child’s bed.

Delirium is a common and serious medical problem that causes changes in the way people think and behave.

It occurs more often among older people. When a person has delirium, they are confused and may be very agitated or quiet and drowsy. This occurs due to an underlying illness and usually improves over time with treatment for the underlying condition.

Family and whānau are more likely to notice changes much earlier so please let the nurses know if you notice a change in behaviour.