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During your stay

When you arrive, staff at our Help Desks on Hambleden Wing and the Golden Jubilee Wing will be able to direct you to your ward where a receptionist or a nurse will meet you. You will be given a bracelet with your name on it which you must wear at all times in the hospital. It allows us to check that we are giving you the right medicine.

If you want to leave the ward for a short time, please speak to your nurse. If there is an emergency, we will need to know where you are.

Things to tell us

  • Do you have any allergies?
  • Are you taking any medicine or tablets?
  • Do you need someone to deal with your benefits, pensions or allowances?
  • Do you have any valuables that need to be kept safe? See our section on Security at King’s for further advice.
  • Will you miss any outpatient appointments while you are in hospital?
  • Do you need to send an inpatient certificate to your employer?

Our nursing staff

When you arrive at your ward, we will tell you the name of the nurse in charge of your care. Other nurses and healthcare assistants will also help you during your stay. At the start of every shift, the nurse who will be looking after you should come and introduce themselves, so you know who to call if you have any questions or problems.

Each ward is managed by a Ward Manager who you can speak to if you have any comments or concerns.

Every member of staff wears a badge with a photograph, their name and their job title.

Your treatment

If you are having an operation, or for certain other procedures, you will be required to sign a consent form to say you agree to the procedure. This is a legal requirement to help protect your rights and to ensure that you understand the risks and benefits of your procedure, as well as any alternatives available.

During your stay we may need to take further tests to help understand your condition better.

If you are not sure about anything to do with your treatment please ask your nurse or doctor, or contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS).

Privacy on the ward

We aim to provide separate accommodation – sleeping areas and bathroom and toilet facilities – for women and men wherever possible. There are separate facilities for both sexes on all our outpatient wards and day case areas where both women and men are treated, and we work hard to ensure you are cared for in the appropriate area. Our Same-sex accommodation at King’s leaflet has more information and you can also read details of our policies that aim to ensure your privacy and dignity at all times.

Smoke-free King’s

We are a smoke-free hospital. Patients, visitors and staff are not permitted to smoke anywhere in the hospital or its grounds.

The use of e-cigarettes and vapes is prohibited within Trust buildings, enclosed areas and next to building entrances and exits, but is permitted on Trust grounds..

You will be asked about smoking by clinical staff and offered support. We offer evidence-based treatment for smoking including the full range of nicotine replacement therapies and other prescribed medications.

We offer help to quit to all patients and visitors.

Healthcare students

King’s is a teaching hospital where our students get practical experience by treating patients. Please tell your doctor or nurse if you do not want students to be involved in your care. Your treatment will not be affected by your decision.

Research

You might be asked to take part in clinical research during your time at the hospital. You can refuse to take part. This will not affect your treatment in any way. If you do take part, the doctor will explain what is involved. They will also ask you to sign a consent form to show you agree to take part.

Your personal information

When you come to hospital, we ask you for information to help with your care. We keep this information on file, in case you need to be treated again in the future. Read what we do with patient information.

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