Hospital stay - good things to have

[Blingstar]

If you've had a prolonged stay in hospital, what was good to have with you?

Non slip slippers, eye mask, ear plugs

I work with people who are in hospital long term. I’d say they like their own fluffy blanket, nice dressing gowns, slippers, own pillow, lots of books/ puzzles/ whatever you like doing , nice squash/ cordial, any chargers you need, notepad and pens, small change for the volunteer run shop that visits

Lip balm
Cooling face spray (Magicool was a Godsend)

The longest phone charger you can get - plug sockets are on the wall behind the bed.
Slip on sandals (aka Slides/Sliders) rather than slippers. Better for use in the shower.

If you're a lady, nightie with spaghetti straps or pyjamas with short sleeves as they're easier with drips etc. and a bed jacket to put around your shoulders. Definitely lip balm and a decent moisturiser & hand cream as I find the air dries my skin.

Toiletries bag with a decent handle/strap so you're not trying to clutch it and wheel a drip stand at the same time.

Kindle if you have one & a book stand/cushion so you're not struggling to hold them with drips in the back of your hand.

Thanks all. Really helpful.

Headphones/earbuds!! Definitely.

Vaseline - hospital air/oxygen can be very drying, likewise a hand cream

For me ear buds, for listening to a podcast when I couldn't sleep

Depends how long your hair is - but hair bands to plait it out of the way, those hospital plastic pillow covers are very sweaty even if it gets chilly on the ward

Baby wipes- fragranced. You might want a freshen up (see sweaty hospital pillows) you might be well enough to do your neck/face or someone might do for you, depends where your drips are.

And a scarf/travel blanket that smells of home/ your perfume/something other than hospital

My bag for when I’m in with DD has a long phone cable, a decent pillow, a thin blanket (always roasting but I can’t sleep without a cover), a decent eye mask, headphones, water wipes, puzzle books & a decent pen for some non screen time and one of the little squeezy bottles of concentrated squash/diluting juice so I can have something other than water when I can’t get to the shop.

Lip balm
Extra long phone charger
Neck fan

Long phone charger plus portable charger
Netflix/Disney etc
Ear plugs
Eye mAsk
Squash
Shorts are easier than pj bottoms plus it normally hot on the ward
Your own towel/shampoo/shower gel
Libby app - library app with loads of free magazines
I take crochet or a part finished blanket to use and make
Own pillow - theirs are sweaty
Ask if you can have the night light off (it's really bright)
Move if you can go a window spot-long term stays are better with a view!

Neck fan - have had a few hospital stays and it's always been hotter than the sun on wards. I suspect half the NHS budget goes on blasting the heating.

Unfortunately a lot of other people on a ward might not be using headphones of any variety 😏

Audible and headphones
Charger
Light nightwear (cotton nightdress)

Sense of humour
Patience
Love of other human beings in all their flavours 😁