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Original poster

Do you have a Coronavirus Hospital go-bag?

181 replies

Merryoldgoat · 18/09/2020 18:21

My son was hospitalised unexpectedly last year - all fine now, but at the time we were woefully unprepared for the stuff we’d need in hospital etc.

We’ve been thinking that we should have ready hospital bags Just in case. Do you have one? What should go in it?

When in hospital do you have to wear a gown? Or your own stuff? Obviously no visitors so books etc (assuming one isn’t ventilated)?

I’m anxious as I have a few underlying risk factors so being properly prepared would be help me stay calm. Any advice gratefully received.

Thanks.

OP posts:
Batshitbeautycosmeticsltd · 18/09/2020 18:23

No. That sounds paranoid, tbh. At any rate, books won't be able to be brought in due to being an infection control issue. I'd look at getting treatment for anxiety first and foremost.

bigknickersbigknockers · 18/09/2020 18:23

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iVampire · 18/09/2020 18:23

I don’t, even though I got the morale sapping shielding text recommending having one

My top tip is to take an extension lead as well as chargers, as plugs are bound to be out of reach.

kimlo · 18/09/2020 18:23

no but asthma uk were recomending that asthmarics had one ready, so I have been meaning to put one together for the asthmatics in the house at least.

nachthexe · 18/09/2020 18:25

No plans for hospital bag. Don’t have an ofrs either. Didn’t pack a bag for any of three births either.
People are different - if you feel like it would reduce your anxiety, go ahead, but in my case it would increase my anxiety levels (sort of self prophesy stuff)

Orangeblossomrose · 18/09/2020 18:27

Yes, like near end of pregnancy.

Masks, gel, mini wash kit, charger, book, pen, notebook, tshirts, leggings, visor, cash, water, biscuits, painkiller.

SoManyActivities · 18/09/2020 18:27

I wouldnt have thought that anyone apart from perhaps those who are very vulnerable, need a 'Covid hospital bag'.

The chances of you being hospitalised from Covid are really small!

Fannybawz · 18/09/2020 18:28

What? All you need is a mobile phone and a charger surely!

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 18/09/2020 18:28

@Batshitbeautycosmeticsltd

No. That sounds paranoid, tbh. At any rate, books won't be able to be brought in due to being an infection control issue. I'd look at getting treatment for anxiety first and foremost.
Well. I work in a school and do school drop offs and pick ups for my own children so am exposed to a lot of people.

I’m asthmatic with high blood pressure, both of which are risk factors.

We have sent home at least 4 boys TODAY with symptoms. I’m not sure how it’s paranoid to prepare?

OP posts:
Southernsoftie76 · 18/09/2020 18:28

No, I didn’t even pack a hospital bag until I was in labour. My grandma kept a hospital bag, she had a brand new nightie, what she called ‘posh scent’, yardley soap, a couple of matching towels and flannels and new knickers. Bless her.

Trackandtrace · 18/09/2020 18:29

Yes bags have been ready since march for me and children. Hope wont be needed but felt better having them ready.
Childrens also has medical info and contacts on it and we have info bands to put on them should we be seperated at anytime.

SoManyActivities · 18/09/2020 18:29

If you are so ill from Covid that you need to be hospitalised, why would you need a visor? Or biscuits? Confused

SqidgeBum · 18/09/2020 18:30

No ......

Do you also have a bag in your car filled with supplies if you break down in the middle of nowhere, including a phone charger, food, water, a map, petrol in a canister, traffic cones, a tool kit, maybe a compass and walking boots and a snow suit in case you need to hike across a mountain in a blizzard?

In all seriousness, I think you need to look after your mental health. This is a bit much.

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 18/09/2020 18:30

@kimlo

no but asthma uk were recomending that asthmarics had one ready, so I have been meaning to put one together for the asthmatics in the house at least.
Thank you.

I’m asthmatic. My older son is and my younger likely is but too young to diagnose.

I thought I’d heard this but wasn’t sure.

OP posts:
SoManyActivities · 18/09/2020 18:30

@Trackandtrace

Yes bags have been ready since march for me and children. Hope wont be needed but felt better having them ready. Childrens also has medical info and contacts on it and we have info bands to put on them should we be seperated at anytime.
Yikes!
Giganticshark · 18/09/2020 18:30

The hospital will have hand gel, water, soap.

Legoandloldolls · 18/09/2020 18:31

Yes I do! But no clothes or anything in there. If i go in, i would be dieing so gown and then put into a coma for which i dont need anything.

But it's in case the kids or my mum.get ill. Phone charger, battery pack, not pad, very basic toiletries and some crochet hooks, wool and a book. Cash

I was thinking if I ever need to rush somewhere at short notice I have a bag with every thing in I need.

It's not FOR Corona, but the outbreak kind of prompted me. I have been sent to A&E during the pandemic, typically dont feel the urge to drive via home from.the GP so the bag was at home, sod all use. However if a child was then admitted, I only need someone to bring that bag and a change of clothes. Just remembered that dh had a major accident years ago to and was rushed to a major trauma centre over 40 miles away.

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 18/09/2020 18:31

@SqidgeBum

No ......

Do you also have a bag in your car filled with supplies if you break down in the middle of nowhere, including a phone charger, food, water, a map, petrol in a canister, traffic cones, a tool kit, maybe a compass and walking boots and a snow suit in case you need to hike across a mountain in a blizzard?

In all seriousness, I think you need to look after your mental health. This is a bit much.

I always have water, torch, blankets and toolkit in my car. I also have breakdown cover and use my car in an urban 5 mile radius so hardly the same.
OP posts:
Lweji · 18/09/2020 18:32

I had a few occasions of having to spend the night with DS in hospital and never crossed my mind to have a hospital bag just in case.

loulouljh · 18/09/2020 18:32

WTF???!!! No!

lesbihonest · 18/09/2020 18:32

No - I used to have one for another condition where I was taken in very regularly at the drop of a hat but gave it up a while ago .
Was just toiletries, a charger and spare knickers/pyjamas and tops . Otherwise I’d be taken in from GP surgery for two nights with sod all and no one to get me anything !

FelicityBeedle · 18/09/2020 18:32

You absolutely can bring in books to hospital, I’m an HCA and we regularly go down to pick up personal belongings, books, cards etc. Yes there are stricter measures but it’s hospital not a prison

DishRanAwayWithTheSpoon · 18/09/2020 18:33

No. Unless you are a regular attender of hospitals (e.g. long standing illness) I think to have a hospital bag is way OTT.

If you need to go into hospital surely you are either too ill to care or you/ someone can just grab a book and phone charger on your way.

Anything else can be bought to you. You will get food in hospital, a gown if you need, painkillers if you need. Theres soap and hand sanitiser. I think even wash things if you are desperate.

HeddaGarbled · 18/09/2020 18:34

I think I assumed that if you were hospitalised with Covid, you’d be in quite a bad way and therefore not likely to be in need of anything not provided by the hospital, but now I think about it, there have been people who have been in hospital for several weeks, haven’t there?

helpfulperson · 18/09/2020 18:34

I have a hospital bag because I live alone and dont want someone having to rootle through my house to find things. It has underwear, tee shirts, leggings, chargers, basic toiletries and a hard copy book in case of no electronics and a list of my emergency info. I've had it since a visit to the GP ended unexpectedly in a hospital admission a couple of years ago.