The Sprout

Hospitals

NHS (National Health Service) hospital treatment is free in the UK.

Unless it is an emergency and you need to be treated in the accident and emergency (A&E) department, you cannot walk into a hospital for treatment. Instead, a doctor will usually refer you.

Going to hospital can be a scary experience but the doctors and nurses are there to help you so don’t be afraid to talk to them and share any concerns.

As a hospital patient, you have certain rights including:

• Confidentiality
• Refusing to be treated by medical students
• Seeing your medical notes
• Having a second opinion
• Being referred to a specialist
• Refusing to take part in research trials
• Being informed about your health and all treatment options
• Having a friend or relative with you
• Having an interpreter or signer to help you

There are some things you might want to think about taking with you if you are going into hospital, such as:

• Mobile phone (you are only allowed to use it in certain areas)
• Contact details of friends and family
• Any regular medicines
• Nightwear
• Underwear
• Toiletries
• Books and magazines
• Games and puzzles
• Pen and paper
• Food or snacks (check with your doctor what you can and cannot eat)