In hospital

While you are in hospital, the staff will do everything they can to give you the best possible care and attention. When you arrive, someone will show you to your bed, explain where things are and introduce you to the staff on duty.

After your admission, a doctor will ask some questions about your condition or medical history. If you are normally cared for at home by a relative or friend, try to arrange for this person to be with you for this discussion. All information about your treatment and progress is private and confidential – unless you give the staff permission to keep your family, friends and carer up to date.

Information about your treatment or procedure

Your doctor or other health practitioner will give you plenty of information about your treatment or procedure. In most cases you will need to sign a written consent form to confirm that you understand any potential risks. If you want more information, East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust produces a wide range of patient information leaflets.

Advice and support in hospital – NHS Patient Advice and Liason Service

As the NHS is such a large and complex organisation offering a wide range of services, it can sometimes feel bewildering. The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) helps improve services by listening to your concerns, offering confidential advice and providing information about the NHS and any health-related enquiry.

PALS representatives, who can be found in hospitals throughout East Sussex, can help you by:

  • providing information about the NHS complaints procedure
  • informing you about how to get more involved in your own healthcare
  • listening to your concerns, suggestions and experiences and ensuring that people who design and manage services are aware of these issues
  • identifying problems or gaps in services and reporting them to NHS trusts and monitoring bodies.

Local PALS contacts

Visitors

Most hospitals have set times at which your friends or relatives can visit you. Check with the hospital you're going to for specific information – bear in mind that different wards often have different visiting times.

When visiting anyone in hospital, you should always clean your hands before entering and leaving a patient's room to prevent the spread of germs. If you have a cough, cold or other illness, you should contact the ward for advice before visiting.