What to pack
This is what we would recommend you bring:
- 2 sets of nightwear and several items of underwear
- Some day wear as well. This is now encouraged and helps patients recover more quickly
- Slippers
- Glasses or contact lenses
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap
- Sanitary towels (for women)
- Shaving things (for men)
- Sleep mask and ear plugs
- Books or magazines to read
- Your medication and an up-to-date list of them
- Anything else you might need like hearing aids or a wheelchair
- A mobile phone and charger.
What not to pack
- Lots of money
- Things you do not want to lose
- Alcohol
- TV or radio
- Big suitcases.
How long will I stay in hospital?
6-7 days. The actual average length of stay (ALoS) is just above 6 in the UK. But it can be 1-2 days (e.g. for a short surgical admission for an operation) or weeks.
MyHSN has more information on average length of stay in the UK, and how to encourage your own discharge and prevent readmission
