About your stay

Everyone at our trust has an absolute commitment to the delivery of high quality services for our patients, and for their right to be treated with respect. Keeping our patients safe and delivering personalised, caring services is our number one corporate objective.

If you are being admitted as a planned admission, please follow any advice given in letters from the hospital. 

If you are an emergency admission you will be taken to one of our emergency assessment areas, whereby an individualised plan of care will be discussed with you on your admission.

Simple steps for your stay

Staying comfortable

• If you can, bring simple items from home that will make you feel comfortable such as shoes, clothes, pyjamas and toiletries. Please do not bring any valuables with you.
• Try to keep mobile and move as often as you can. Ask a member of staff if you need help.
• In a morning, if you can, get dressed in your own clothes and sit outside of bed as this can help with recovery and getting ready to leave. 

Managing your medicines

• Tell us if you have an allergy.
• Ask about what your medicines are for and let us know if you don’t understand any of the information that has been given to you.
• Ask about possible side effects and talk to the doctor, nurse or pharmacist about any concerns you have.
• If you have medicines at home that can be brought in, please talk to the pharmacy team or a member of staff. This will help make sure that you are on your correct prescription.

Preventing falls

• If you can, wear laced up or snug fitting shoes / slippers with rubber soles.
• Ask for non-slip socks if you need them.
• If you need any help getting out of your bed or chair, tell us or use the call bell.

Keeping hydrated

• Drink lots of water (unless advised otherwise).
• Make sure your water jug is easy to reach, or ask for assistance.
• Ask if you need your water jug filling or you need any support with drinking.

Preventing blood clots

• If you are able, try to move your legs or ankles as often as you can, or keep mobile by sitting out of bed or walking around.
• If advised to, wear the compression stockings and take the medication given to you as this can help prevent blood clots developing.
• Drink lots of fluids, including water (unless advised otherwise).

Helping to prevent infections

• Wash/clean your hands before meals and after you have visited the toilet.
• Tell us if you have had any diarrhoea or vomiting.
• Please ask if staff have cleaned their hands before providing care.
• If your visitors are feeling unwell, ask them not to visit until they are feeling better.

Leaving hospital or our care units

• Ask a member of staff if you do not know the date when you are expected to leave or if you are unsure about your next steps.
• Make sure you have your discharge letter and know who to contact if you have any questions or concerns.
• If you are able to, sit outside of bed and gather your belongings. Also check that you have your medicines and that you understand what they are for.

Sharing and questions or concerns

• Talk to us if you have any worries or concerns about your treatment or leaving hospital.
• If you would like to talk about your spiritual or religious needs please ask about how our chaplains can support you.
• Tell us if you don’t understand any information that has been given to you.
• Please give feedback on what was good about your treatment and if there is anything we can do better. Staff will be able to explain how to do this.

Visiting hours and policies

We understand the importance of having loved ones by your side during your location stay. Please familiarise yourself with our visiting hours and policies to ensure a positive experience for both patients and visitors. We aim to create a supportive environment that respects the privacy and well-being of all. Information on our visiting hours are here.

Patient and family support services

Hospital stays can be overwhelming, and we are here to help. Our patient and family support services provide information, resources, and assistance to ensure you and your loved ones have the support you need throughout your stay.

Infection prevention and control

We follow strict infection prevention and control measures to ensure a clean and safe environment for both patients and staff. If you have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our healthcare team. More on our infection prevention and control services is here.

General information

We ask you are respectful towards patients/visitors and staff whilst in the hospital or in any community settings.

Please consider other patients needs and respect their privacy and dignity.

Photographs and video recordings in public areas of the Trust, such as waiting rooms are not acceptable.

We have a strict no smoking policy on all our sites, both inside and outside on the hospital site.

Any image or recording that violates the privacy of other patients will result in an instant request for you to delete and remove it. Maintaining confidentiality is of the utmost importance.

Violence and aggression is not acceptable, and will not be tolerated.

Please do not visit if you are suffering from a cold, flu, diarrhoea or vomiting, or any other infectious symptoms.

Please disinfect your hands before entering patient areas – using our hand gels dispensers which are outside the ward entrances – and do not sit on the patient’s bed.

It is not advisable to bring babies and young children into ward areas as they are more susceptible to contracting infection.

Food items which require refrigeration must be brought to the attention of the nurse in charge of the ward, as strict guidelines are in force regarding this practice.

Cleanliness issues – please report any concerns to the nurse in charge.

Flowers – each patient is permitted one vase of flowers or pot plant only, due to issues relating to infection control and emergency procedures.

Visitors are reminded they should not photograph or film patients without their permission.

Further information 

Suggested items to bring for inpatients:   

• Debit card for ‘hands free’ payments (at own risk) 
• Toiletry bag with soap, toothbrush, antibacterial wipes, comb, etc. 
• Comfortable, easy to put on day clothes, suitable nightwear and underwear 
• Sanitary products, incontinence pads etc. 
• Contact details for family and friends’ mobile phone numbers 
• A letter to a loved one 
• Communication device with charger (at own risk) 
• Comfort items e.g. photo of family / pets, pillowcase, book, magazine 
• Other important items e.g. glasses or hearing aid 
• Non-perishable foods in a sealed container e.g. biscuits, squash, mints etc.  

 Please do not bring:

• Valuables such as jewellery (any belongings brought in will not be the responsibility of the hospital) 
• Sharps such as scissors / needles 

Infopoint freephone telephone kiosks

Infopoint units are auto-dialling telephone kiosks which allow the user to make free calls for a taxi, travel information, general health advice, stop smoking service and dental information service.

These are situated at our main hospital entrance (Oak House) and in our emergency (A&E) department.

Toilets

Public toilets, including toilets for the disabled, are located in all outpatient departments. Baby changing facilities are available in Outpatients A. Please ask a member of staff if help is required.

We offer a free Wi-fi service to patients and visitors to the hospital site. No usernames or passwords are required to connect, just check your smartphone wifi is enabled and select O2 Wifi from the network list. Next open your browser and follow the simple instructions. Your welcome page will then appear, and now you`re connected.

Free Wi-fi

Our free Wi-fi service is available at the following areas of Stepping Hill Hospital:

• Bobby Moore Unit
• Day Case Unit
• Main restaurant
• Maternity Ground Floor (Reception Area)
• Oak House, Ground Floor
• Outpatients A
• Outpatients B
• Take 5 Cafe
• Devonshire Centre (Dialstone Lane, Stockport)