In-Patient Guidance

Coming Into The Hospital

Many people are understandably nervous about coming into hospital, whether it is for an out-patient appointment or perhaps as a daycase to have a minor operation. Sometimes you, or a child or relative, may have to come in for a longer period, or perhaps attend regularly for dialysis or other treatments or checkups. Whatever the reason, as with most new experiences, it is normally the first time that we are most nervous about! Once one gets to know the building and the faces, the whole experience is much less daunting.

By providing you with as much information as we can before you come into hospital, we hope to reduce any anxiety that you might have. We have many information leaflets that you can read in advance and you will normally also receive a letter from us giving details of your appointment or admission. This website too provides details on what to bring with you when coming into hospital, visiting times for each of the wards and contact telephone numbers.

If there is anything you don't understand, or something that you are particularly worried about, please ask questions. Before you come, you can telephone the hospital and ask to speak to the Consultants secretary. She may be able to answer your questions, and if she can't she will ask one of our Nursing staff or the Doctor to speak with you. While you are in hospital, please ask any of our staff about any aspect of your care or the service generally. Don't be afraid to ask! All of our staff are aware that what might be routine to professionals is very new to you. Your questions are welcome.

If you have any special needs, please let us know in advance if at all possible. For example if you have problems walking, need access to toilets for those with disability, have hearing or problems with your sight, let us know how we can best help you. We do have information leaflets in larger print, many of our buildings have equipment and facilities designed for those with disability and many of our staff are particularly skilled in dealing with difficult communication problems. You can let us know how we can best meet your needs. More information on the Trusts Disability Access plans.

If you have been satisfied or disappointed by your experience of any of our services please let us know. You can contact us through this website or write to the Directorate of Corporate Affairs at Trust Headquarters. Through feedback from you, we want to continue to improve the quality of the services offered.

Visiting Times

Erne Hospital Visiting Times

Ward	Visiting Times
Maternity/Gynae	2.30pm - 4.30pm 7.00pm - 9.00pm
All Other Wards	2.30pm - 4.30pm 6.30pm - 8.00pm
Daily Rest Period is between 12.30pm and 2.30pm. Visitors are asked to refrain from visiting between these times. Visiting may be restricted on surgery days. Relatives should telephone before visiting patients who have undergone surgery

Tyrone County Hospital Visiting Times

Ward	Day	Visiting Times
Medical Wards	Mon - Sun	2.00pm - 3.00pm 7.00pm - 8.00pm

What To Bring

CLOTHES: Night Clothes, Dressing Gown, Slippers.

You may wear your own outdoor clothing during the day if you wish.

All personal clothing is the patients own responsibility.

TOILETRIES: Soap, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Hairbrush/Comb, Shampoo, Talc/Deodorant.

Valuables

You are advised not to bring valuables, jewellery or money other than a small amount for newspapers, telephone calls or confectionery. Any money, jewellery or valuables that you must bring should be handed in to the Ward Sister or your Named Nurse for safe keeping.

Western Health and Social Care Trust will not accept responsibility for loss of any personal property, which is retained by the patient.

What To Do When You Arrive At The Hospital

First of all please report to the Admissions Office which is situated in the main entrance hall of the Hospital. Your details will be checked to ensure that they are correct and up-to-date. From here you will be shown to the appropriate Ward. As you enter the Ward please book in at the Nurses station. The Ward Clerk or your Named Nurse will arrange for you to be settled in. Should you arrive after working hours (9.00am - 5.00pm) please go straight to the ward and report there.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask any of the staff. They are keen to help you.

For wheelchair users, access to wards can be gained via the lifts situated on the ground floor of both the main hospital building and the medical building. Please ask at the Admissions Office if you require a porters assistance.

Medicines

Please bring all medicines with you when you come into the hospital and give them to your Named Nurse or Ward Sister, who will return them to your relatives or to yourself on discharge. If your GP has listed your medicines it is not necessary to bring them with you. If you hold a special card which gives details of current treatment, for example a steroid card, please bring this with you and show it to the Ward Sister or your Named Nurse. If you are allergic to any medicines, please inform the Doctor, Ward Sister or your Named Nurse.

Food And Drink

Visitors are strongly requested to consult the patients Named Nurse or the Sister regarding any food or drink they wish to bring for patients. Patients should check with the Named Nurse or Sister before eating fruit, sweets and chocolate that visitors may have brought in for you.

Meals

The meals provided by the hospital give an all-round nutritious and balanced diet. If you require a special diet (i.e. diabetic or vegetarian) please inform the Ward Sister or your named Nurse and they will arrange this for you. If you are unhappy about the quality or quantity of your diet inform a member of staff immediately.

Healthy Eating

The Western Health & Social Services Board has a Nutrition Policy which encourages us to consume a diet rich in fibre, fruit and vegetables but low in fat, salt and sugar.

Should you require more information on healthy eating or alcohol your Named Nurse will gladly supply you with same in the form of leaflet.

Facilities Available

Trolley Shop - A Trolley Shop visits the wards daily, from which newspapers, magazines and confectionery can be bought.

Hospital Shop - The hospital shop is situated in the front hall of the hospital. Newspapers, magazines, confectionery and some toiletries are sold here.

Opening Hours

Erne Hospital

Mon-Fri 8.30am - 8.30pm
Sat 2.00pm - 4.30pm, 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Sun 2.00pm - 4.30pm, 6.30pm - 8.30pm

Tyrone County Hospital

Mon-Fri 9.00am - 10.30am, 12.15pm - 4.00pm, 7.00pm - 8.00pm
Sat 10.15am - 11.00am, 1.00pm - 4.00pm, 7.00pm - 8.00pm
Sun 10.15am -11.00am, 1.00pm - 4.00pm, 7.00pm - 8.00pm

Hairdresser

Hairdressing facilities are available to all wards. Please ask your Named Nurse for details. Patients avail of this service at their own expense.

Chaplains

Chaplains of all denominations visit the wards regularly.

Radio/Television

Television is provided in all day rooms. Personal radios and televisions are not normally permitted except in certain circumstances. Installed radios are available on each ward. Western Health and Social Care Trust will not be held responsible for any televisions/radios brought into hospital by patients.

Letters And Telephones

If you wish to send a letter, please give it to a member of the ward staff before 2.00pm for posting (1.00pm on Fridays). Should someone wish to send a letter to you, please ask them to state clearly on the envelope your name and the ward you are currently in.

Mobile phones are not permitted to be used inside the hospital building as they can cause interference with sensitive hospital equipment. Should you wish to make a telephone call, there are portable telephones installed in each Ward.

No Smoking Policy

The hospital has a No Smoking Policy and we would ask that you abide by this. Smoking is considered as a serious health hazard and also a source of annoyance to patients as well as a potential fire risk. Within the Tyrone County Hospital, there is one designated smoking area and this is situated on the first floor and is for patients only.

Ambulances

Please do not ask for an ambulance unless you are medically unfit to travel on public transport. If you do require an ambulance, please bring this to the attention of the doctor during your appointment or telephone us later and ask to speak to the staff who arrange ward admissions.

Car Parking

Unfortunately car parking space at the hospital is very limited. You are therefore requested not to bring your car, if at all possible, but to ask a friend or relative to bring you to the hospital. Should you bring your car, please park it is the car parks which are well sign-posted.

Named Nurse

During your stay in hospital you will be allocated a nurse who will be responsible for your care.

Benefits or Pensions

If you are in receipt of Social Security benefits, or pension, please inform the DHSS that you will be coming into the hospital. If you are employed, a sickness certificate can be given to you in the Ward. Please ask the Ward Sister, Ward Clerk or your Named Nurse.

Travelling Costs

If you are in receipt of Social Security benefits or on a low income, you may be entitled to assistance with hospital travelling costs. Please bring details of your benefits when you attend the hospital.

Compliments/Complaints

The Staff and Management of Western Health and Social Care Trust are endeavouring to meet the standards outlined in the Patients Charter and are committed to providing efficient and effective health care to all our patients. We would welcome any comments, suggestions or complaints you may have. If you feel that the treatment you received was unsatisfactory, then please let us know. You may wish to discuss this with your Named Nurse or Ward Sister or send a formal complaint to the Complaints Officer. Likewise, if you are happy with the treatment you received, we would appreciate hearing that too!

Write to:

Or you can contact us by using or Contact Us form.

Confidentiality

As you may be aware, patient and some treatment details are recorded and processed on our computer. At all times great care is taken to ensure that the highest standard of confidentially is maintained.

Patients may now have the opportunity (with exceptions) to access their medical records.

Further information on this can be obtained from: