Do you have a Coronavirus Hospital go-bag?

[Merryoldgoat]

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.

Some people may feel it’s tempting fate rather than being prepared.

No, that’s ridiculous unless you are already very ill and likely to be hospitalised for any other infection/virus/flu.

Op as someone with anxiety do what you need to in order to ease it. (within healthy parameters) sorry pp's are being harsh.

You could be very ill and still need to eat so I get the biccies thing!

A cyanide pill or a handgun should suffice?

Covid is not like a heart attack. You get ill before you have to go to hospital. Write a list but no need to have a bag packed.

My MIL has one, enough for a couple of nights - underwear, nightie, toiletry bag really.

When she was in a while ago, we just swapped stuff at the ward door with one of the nurses.

This might be worthwhile for some.

www.scas.nhs.uk/news/campaigns/message-in-a-bottle/#:~:text=The%20Lions%2C%20Message%20In%20a,being%20called%20to%20your%20home.

@Orangeblossomrose

Yes, like near end of pregnancy.

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

They won't let you take but half of that if at all and you sure as hell won't be well enough to go writing notes to people.

@Frenchfancy

Covid is not like a heart attack. You get ill before you have to go to hospital. Write a list but no need to have a bag packed.

This is valid - thank you.

Quite frankly if you’re that ill you won’t give a toss about clean knickers and phone chargers 😳. Certainly it’s not comparable with going in to have a baby.
I’m sure your DH would be able to drop in essentials when you’re a little better.

@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 don’t, but I bet my dad would!

Yes but not specifically for Covid! I was admitted once and live alone. So I have a bag which has underwear, socks, pjs, some toiletries, wipes, spare meds etc in. Means it's ready for either a weekend away or hospital, grab handbag and phone charger and that's it

And yes I have in my car a big coat, protein bar, bottle of water, hat, gloves, baby wipes, hand gel... if I break down I won't get cold/hungry! It just stays in there

You’ll need toiletries, a robe, PJ’s, towel, dressing gown.

We live an 80 mile trip from our nearest hospital and DS has asthma and has had a few emergency hospital visits. I'll definitely be packing a bag for him. Actually, I think I should do this on a permanent basis - not just due to coronavirus..

Sorry - that should have read an 80 mile round trip!

Nope

I didn't think I needed one, until I started talking about the logistics of DH, who is ECV, getting a positive result (God forbid it please!).

If that happened, I've two young kids who cannot be sent to anyone's house due to the risk of spreading the infection. DH would have to be driven (by him/me) 70+ miles to a specialist hospital where they will handle him (they have told him to come asap if he's positive). It'd be handy to not have to worry too much bout packing tbh

We have had a hospital bag packed for years, as when ds has ended up in hospital it makes an extremely stressful situation a bit less stressful.

It is a really small overnight bag for me and ds with nappies, wipes, pj shorts, vest, a charger, a power battery, toothbrushes and toothpaste, pants leggings and tshirt for me. There is also a copy of his hospital passport which we updated to a Covid version in March.Ds's meds are kept on the side in a zip up case, so they can be grabbed easily. My day to day rucksack has anything else we would need. In March, his paed said it was a good idea to make bag and passport were up to date. I actually find it the opposite of anxiety inducing!

[quote Southernsoftie76]@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.[/quote]
You do realise that being hospitalised with Covid wouldn't be the same as going in to give birth?

What would anyone need a notebook and pen for either, what are you going to urgently need to be writing down in a notebook if you are that ill?

Surely you would wait until you got it, isn’t there a bit of time in between starting to feel ill and hospital admittance. You wouldn’t need much anyway.

I don't have a coronavirus hospital bag, or a bag at all actually, but after having a number of unexpected and rapid hospitalisations with my son, I do have a hospital bag packing list on my phone. Once the ambulance is called, or the doctor has asked you to go to A&E the feeling of panic would prevent me from being able to think rationally about what we would need (and a trip to A&E would always result in admission). So now I have the list and can just quickly throw it in a bag without having to think.

Erm yes I have food and water and warm clothing and shoes I can walk in in the car. Why wouldn't you?

If you suddenly have a heart attack or stroke, you don’t have a bag packed ready

No. Ffs no.

I had to reread this , I thought you were pregnant .

No , I do not .

Seriously

I think it’s something like a 10% chance of hospitalization if you’re in your 50s. No massive but not minuscule either. Under 40s, it’s incredibly unlikely you’ll need hospital.

Husband is vulnerable but no, haven’t packed one yet. Most people who require hospital do so after the first week, so if he has a positive tree result we should have some notice.