Inpatient information

Staying at hospital can be an anxious and distressing experience. That's why we're committed to making sure your time with us is a comfortable and positive one. From the moment you walk in, you'll experience home comforts and responsive services that are tailored to your needs.

If you're having a procedure or admitted for medical investigations to a HCA UK hospital and are staying with us for one night or more, you'll be admitted as an inpatient. In the months or weeks leading up to your procedure, we'll send you a letter confirming your admission date, time and location. We'll also advise you of any special preparations or instructions, like fasting before your procedure.

If you require an interpreter during your visit, please contact our pre-admissions team before you arrive and they will arrange for one you. You can reach them on 020 7908 3650.  

You may have been asked to fast before your procedure. Fasting means not eating or drinking for a certain amount of time. Fasting is usually necessary for surgical procedures involving a general anaesthetic, which means you'll be asleep. Your consultant will let you know how long you need to fast for during your pre-operation screening, which will normally happen at a date prior to your actual operation.

After reporting to our main reception, we'll ask you to confirm your personal details, as well as your next-of-kin details. 

If you are insured, we'll also ask you to provide us with your authorisation from your insurance company. If you are paying for yourself, we'll most likely ask you to settle your account before you leave. A friendly member of staff will then show you to your room.

A nurse will then visit you in your room to make sure that you're settling in okay. They'll also take your medical history, temperature and blood pressure. If you've brought any X-rays or medication with you, please give these to your nurse. And please let them know if you have any allergies.

If you follow a particular diet, for religious or other reasons, our meals can be adapted to suit your needs. Simply send an email to our Business Office team with your dietary requirements prior to your arrival.  

The consultant who arranged your admission will oversee your clinical care throughout your stay. They or your nurse will also be on-hand to answer any questions you have. You can also expect:

• access to a qualified doctor, 24 hours a day
• access to intensive care specialists, 24 hours a day
• nurse specialists to provide pre- and –post procedure care and support
• fully-trained ward nurses
• on-site pharmacists  

General guidance for the visiting. Please be aware hours may differ from this guidance in some areas of care.

• Visiting hours are between 10.00am and 8.00pm
• No more than three visitors at any one time on wards and two when visiting patients on an Intensive Care Unit
• Visitors are unable to stay overnight
• Do not visit the hospital if you are feeling unwell
• Everyone is to respect the HCA UK pledge

If you are staying with us overnight your consultant and nurse will be able to advise an approximate time of discharge once you have arrived, inpatients are discharged after the consultant have seen you and assessed your recovery. If you are staying with us for a longer period of time, you will be give an approximate discharge date, and your consultant or nursing team will keep you updated during your recovery, about your progress and the day of discharge. You may not always feel well enough to drive or take public transport, so we'd recommend you arrange for someone to pick you up. If this isn’t possible, we will arrange a taxi for you.

If you've accrued extra charges during your stay, you can pay for them before you leave at the Cashier's Office, in most our hospital this is usually on the ground floor near the entrance. If you're not able to do this when you leave, we can send settle your outstanding balance online, or by post or email.