Going home from hospital - being discharged from hospital

There are lots of simple things that you can do to help you stay steady on your feet, whether you are worried about falling, are fit and active, or have difficulty with your mobility. Be active You can help to prevent falls by staying fit and active. Physical activity helps to improve mobility, strength, balance, flexibility and stamina. There are a variety of ways to be active which can include gardening, housework, walking, swimming and exercise classes. If you are already active, Tai Chi and dancing are good activities to help you keep good balance and stronger muscles and bones.…

Being physically inactive is when you don’t move your body for long periods of time. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes and being overweight all increase the risk of heart and circulatory problems. Being physically active regularly helps reduce these conditions. Being active is anything that raises your heart rate, this can be activities like hanging the washing out, walking outdoors or sports. You should be able to hold a conversation while you are active. Regular activity doesn’t just protect your heart, it can help improve your general health and wellbeing. The amount of physical activity you can…

Preparing for the birth/birth bag If your labour is being induced, there may be a break of 24-48 hours between the medication needed, in this time you may be offered to return home, although this isn’t mandatory. The induction of labour will be discussed with you in depth by a consultant to help you make a decision. When you first visited the hospital, if you weren’t given a leaflet called ‘The Alternative Birth Bag’ please contact the bereavement midwife. Alternatively some information is available on the BeyondBea website. 

At our hospitals we have adopted the use of a forget me not flower for use with patients with diagnosed dementia. Where will the symbol be used? The Forget-Me-Not symbol is magnetic and should be placed: Next to the patient’s name on the multidisciplinary board on the ward On the board next to the patient’s bed What does the use of the symbol mean? The patient being cared for has diagnosed dementia Staff should ensure that the patient is not moved to another ward or bay unless absolutely necessary Prior to discharge, the patient should not be sent to the…

The ESD team monitor patients for a short period of time immediately after being discharged from Arrow Ward, the inpatient respiratory ward at The County Hospital. If you are a patient under the ESD team and wish to contact them then please call 01432 364416 between 9am to 3.15pm, 7 days a week.  If you are unable to contact the ESD team and require non-urgent advice out-of-hours then please contact 111. NHS advice: When to call 111.  If you are suffering from severe symptoms such as shortness of breath at rest, new onset chest pain or coughing blood then call…

Blood tests help us to ensure that the medication is being used safely and not causing any harmful effects. When you first start a DMARD, such as Methotrexate or Sulfasalazine, you will need 2 weekly blood tests for 6 weeks, then monthly thereafter. Once your condition is stable on the medication, your blood tests should be every 2 to 3 months, unless required more often. We also check your bloods when you are on a biologic drug, and we will let you know the required frequency for each specific biologic. Should there be any cause for concern, either your GP…

If you are on a Rheumatology medication that suppresses your immune system (table above) and you come in close contact with someone who has shingles or chickenpox, you should contact your GP for advice as treatment may be required.   Close contact is: Being in the same room as someone who has shingles or chickenpox for more than 15 minutes or Having contact with someone who has chickenpox or shingles on many parts of their body or exposed (e.g., on the face).   If possible, you should keep away from someone you know who has chickenpox or shingles.

Pregnancy, labour, birth and having a baby can bring a huge range of emotions to both you and your partner. Although you will have lots of positive feelings while you build a relationship with your baby, you may feel overwhelmed, exhausted and a loss of freedom and/or identity. It is important to realise that these feelings are normal while you adjust to being a parent. However, if these feelings are all-encompassing and you feel that it is affecting your daily life then it may be worth seeking some support. This section outlines the different types of mental health difficutlies that…

Comfort measures in labour and birth