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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:
Jrobhatch29 · 18/09/2020 18:34

Ffs absolutely not.

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 18/09/2020 18:35

Thank you to the replies which were helpful rather than nasty.

If you can be hospitalised with just a phone and charger then you’re a better person than me.

OP posts:
kimlo · 18/09/2020 18:35

actually even if I just wrote down everybodys meds I think that would help. I know whos on quvar and whos on duoresp but I'm not sure anyone esle would. And I have just had a letter from the hospital that listed the meds they think I'm on, but they have me on the last two inhalers I was on plis salbutamol which I don't take anymore. I might put that on the fridge.

MrsMayo · 18/09/2020 18:36

@Orangeblossomrose

Yes, like near end of pregnancy.

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

Biscuits?
Legoandloldolls · 18/09/2020 18:36

I also have six foil blankets, a bottle of water, a she wee and a phone charger in my car. It fits in my glove box ( not the water!) Inncase it starts snowing while I'm on road.

Cookerhood · 18/09/2020 18:36

Painkillers? If you were being admitted i suspect you may need a bit more than painkillers.

DishRanAwayWithTheSpoon · 18/09/2020 18:37

I do actually always have water, a phone charger and a blanket in my car, plus a road map and some tools.

That to me seems sensible. Because if you break down in the middle of nowhere with no phone or water you could die. If you go to hospital without a book you will be bored . Or mildly uncomfortable in 2 day old knickers

Harp1977 · 18/09/2020 18:38

We now have a basic bag, my DSis was hospitalised in the middle of lock Down, not with covid and tbh it was very hard for me to get what she needed as many places where closed or had limited stock. So we have a general toilet bag that anyone can grab with towels, a bag with charger, extension lead, puzzle book pen and paper and cash, also have put aside some night wear etc for everyone. All medical info is now printed on a sheet with the persons name.
Trying to access info and get nesessary items together at the time only added to the stress at the time.
But it is more a grab and go anywhere bag then geared specifically for civid/hospital

SoManyActivities · 18/09/2020 18:39

The thing is, you will probably know that things are getting bad before you are hospitalised, you would enough time to chuck a few bits (including your biscuits! Grin) into a bag?

DishRanAwayWithTheSpoon · 18/09/2020 18:39

What is it ypu think you will need in hospital OP?

What is it you are worried you will be without?

I think if yoi are medications then having a list either in your wallet or phone pr ready to grab is veey sensible. But anything else can be bought to you

Greysparkles · 18/09/2020 18:42

books won't be able to be brought in due to being an infection control issue

Do you even think before you type this nonsense?
How on earth could a book be an infection control issue
If you're going into hospital with covid you are the infection control issue.
Ffs.

Fannybawz · 18/09/2020 18:42

@Merryoldgoat

Thank you to the replies which were helpful rather than nasty.

If you can be hospitalised with just a phone and charger then you’re a better person than me.

I hope that wasn’t aimed at me, I wasn’t trying to be nasty

But anything else can be brought in
All you need to do it to be able to communicate

Possibly ear plugs would be my next essential

lesbihonest · 18/09/2020 18:43

@DishRanAwayWithTheSpoon

I do actually always have water, a phone charger and a blanket in my car, plus a road map and some tools.

That to me seems sensible. Because if you break down in the middle of nowhere with no phone or water you could die. If you go to hospital without a book you will be bored . Or mildly uncomfortable in 2 day old knickers

Depends - I have cared for people with no family/friends and faced sending them back home in hospital gowns/pyjama bottoms or lost property - no knickers, no deodorant, no hairbrushes, we didn’t even stock toothpaste and decent sanitary products ... Thankfully hospital I worked in now has a small M&S that sells basics but wasn’t infrequent that patients had nothing at all - and sometimes no cash to get stuff either .

(We did buy stuff ourselves, charities donated, and in absolute extremes eg patients from abroad people did amazing things - I remember a surgeon buying someone clothes and doing their laundry, and a senior manager buying someone a suitcase of stuff) ...

frozendaisy · 18/09/2020 18:43

@Fannybawz

What? All you need is a mobile phone and a charger surely!
This is all DH needs in life.....with perhaps a clean pair of pants thrown in
Mintjulia · 18/09/2020 18:45

No. I can't imagine being so ill that I can't throw pjs, gown, a toiletries bag and phone & charger into a hold-all.

But as a single mum, I have made arrangements for my ds to go to a young & healthy relative if it happens, and my sis knows how to manage my finances in case of emergencies. Sad

viccat · 18/09/2020 18:46

Well no because all the stuff I would take is stuff I need all the time... Also I would expect I'd know for days if I was getting ill.

I also remember seeing on the TV footage from covid wards that patients can't actually take their stuff with them especially if they need to go to ICU, so it's best not to take your most important stuff anyway (it would just get left in a store room).

Alwaysinpain · 18/09/2020 18:46

Hahaha

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 18/09/2020 18:46

@DishRanAwayWithTheSpoon

What is it ypu think you will need in hospital OP?

What is it you are worried you will be without?

I think if yoi are medications then having a list either in your wallet or phone pr ready to grab is veey sensible. But anything else can be bought to you

I suppose I’m worried I’ll be expected to have endless supplies of nightdresses as they don’t give gowns, that I’ll not be allowed to call people as it will disturb others so I’d need distractions. Will they provide toiletries? Will they wash me? Or will I need to clean myself? Will they not let people bring me stuff?

All of this is informed by the stress of my son being in and being given zero. I then had no one to wait with him so I could get stuff and it was a fucking nightmare.

If I’d had a bag with A few nightclothes and Tracksuits for us, books, snacks and milk, toiletries and phone charger life would’ve been much easier.

OP posts:
Shinyletsbebadguys · 18/09/2020 18:48

I'm not really sure why you are getting such nasty replies ? I'm not remotely panicky about covid as such but DC when they were babies were in and out of hospital alot , particularly ds2 so actually I learnt with young DC that it was judicious to have a few things in a bag if needed. I don't keep it all the time but ds2 became unwell recently with a high temp and was sleeping a lot with a cough , while we were waiting for test results etc I put together (a 5 minute job seriously) spare pyjamas for him water a book etc for me. It took 5 minutes , and sat at the top of the stairs just in case. 4 days later I deemed him put of danger and unpacked it.

I'm the furthest thing from a panicked but I have also spent a long time sat in hospitals uncomfortable and wishing I had thought ahead (including several in the middle of the night admissions where I was unsuitable dressed and cold etc)

I don't think it's insane that I had a few bits chucked into a small bag if DC were admitted?

If they had said it was an infection risk I'd have left It at home no harm no foul. I would say if it makes you feel better and more prepared just in case what's the harm? To be honest at the moment i think we are all probably doing wierd crap to feel in control , some people are downplaying the whole thing in an effort to make themselves feel better , some are wiping shopping bags. If it doesnt hurt anyone else what the hell is the harm?

onlinelinda · 18/09/2020 18:48

If you are in shielding you are told to have one

RuthW · 18/09/2020 18:51

Yes we do and have had for many years. It's very useful if you get rushed into hospital or have an accident. Far easier for dd just to grab my bag than try and find pjs, underwear, glasses etc.

Gibble1 · 18/09/2020 18:51

I made one up to keep in my boot when things were particularly bad.
It had spare underwear, vests, leggings and a big tshirt, phone charger, wash kit and my blow up bed. I also made sure I had a sleeping bag in the boot too.
But this was because I am staff and we had literally no idea what was going to happen and our hospital residences were being used to stack staff so I considered the chance of there being no bed or linen available and prepared for that.
And then after I took it out of the car, DS was admitted for 3 days leaving me with nothing available until DH brought some stuff in the day before he was sent home!
It’s extremely unpleasant sitting and sleeping on plastic chairs while wearing skinny jeans for 48 hours!

OpheliasCrayon · 18/09/2020 18:51

I have had chronic illnesses for coming up 2 decades with more admissions than I can count. I always have one. Usually I would say I don't really see the point as if you're that unwell with covid you need to be in hospital I can't really think what you need. Usually when I'm admitted unexpectedly my husband brings me what I need at some point...however ... Since there aren't really visitors allowed at the moment if it would make you feel more comfortable to do so I can't see that it's hurting anyone! Do what makes you feel happy

Southernsoftie76 · 18/09/2020 18:52

@MrsMayo yes biscuits. When I packed to give birth I packed snacks, I had been warned by friends that meal portions in hospital were small, I had been eating for 5 babies rather than just 1 for 9 months and had a huge appetite. Snacks were needed.

MadameBlobby · 18/09/2020 18:53

I don’t know why I continue to be surprised by some of the ludicrously OTT behaviour on here but I still do.

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