Hospital Bag

Don't take any expensive items that may be stolen,I know it sounds awful but you can't watch everything and everyone you may have to go for tests or the bathroom and some people can be light fingered

No one seems to question people wandering about,we used to say anyone could put a white coat on,brandish a stethoscope and pass along a ward with no question!

Great idea, but I would feel as though I was tempting fate if I did it.

I have a set of nice nightwear with matching dr gown and slippers put away together. I should make up into proper bag with other things mentioned. I would see it as insurance that might never be needed in emergency! It reminds me of a 'go bag' that we had when babies where small with nappy gear, clothes etc. I keep a mini suitcase on the ready as may need to do a flight in a hurry as have very elderly mother in different country so bag will have passport and money, spare mobile/charger/foreign sim etc.

I would add in some stamps and notelets to write a few thank you notes. Defo earplugs and mini music/radio player/earphones. I use that sippy bottles at home for drinks during night, dont spill and can be taken lying down. Yes would ask visitors to bring some ice cubes and some lemon slices

I see the sense in this but I doubt I'll do it! I'm the person who got whisked into hospital with acute appendicitis and took just a purse and a pair of sunglasses(!) as I didn't dream I'd need to be admitted. . Mind you, my dh then brought in a dishcloth in lieu of a face flannel!

Totally agree! Not ready to be THAT ready(yet)!

I was told that DS's late MIL, as mother to three lively teenage boys, always kept 1 suitcase packed with clothes that would fit her sons or husband should a hospital stay occur.

I think it's a good idea, and I keep meaning to do it! My husband keeps a financial sheet updated for me, cos I get mixed up and forget what s where money wise. I'm going to pack a bag for each of us again, along with some toiletries. Also, I
Ll put in some trousers and a top cos hospitals like u up and dressed these days. Glad u reminded me.

Mine has been packed since a serious fall last Autumn. Makes perfect sense to me. Saves my children a lot of running around and possibly expense, and just makes things easier all round.

Thanks for all the additional sensible suggestions here eg list of medication.

It's not gloomy. It's practical really.

I have a bag permanently packed for my husband (I've learnt from experience). We even take it on holiday with us in the boot of the car. Might I suggest including wet wipes and hand gel.

I always have a bag at the ready - when I was a nurse, I can remember the distress of patients who were admitted without their essentials. We could usually provide toiletries and towels, but it's not the same as having your own things, and it's no good asking the man in your life to organise supplies - they haven't a clue, poor dears!
When I had my daughter, I had taken essential things to the maternity hospital, and afterwards, DH filled my room with beautiful flowers. Everyone said how wonderful he was, but he couldn't manage what I really needed, which was a clean nightie, a banana and a bar of chocolate!

What a brilliant idea .... Which had never occurred to me. The only time I was admitted to hospital as an emergency was 38 years ago when I was pregnant with twins.

We were away in Brighton for a weekend, I was taken to hospital & spent a couple of weeks in a lovely room overlooking the sea! I had no pjs or nightdress with me so floated around in a hospital gown stretched over my enormous tummy 'till my sister visited and brought me some nighties etc.

DH had returned home to London. On discharge day I rang him giving instructions of what clothes to bring for me I wear travelling home. He turned up with the correct maternity top BUT NO TROUSERS!

So I travelled home in my nightie.

So your suggestion of having a bag ready is for me the best idea ever since left to DH I would be stark naked without any of my necessities ...... In my case a vast list

My husband always has a bag ready. When you go into hospital you need to be comfortable. Having shaving equipment etc helps through a distressing time.

This is great, something I've always half thought I should have at the ready (big medical history). I now have a massive list - having duly included every suggestion mentioned! Going to sort it all out tomorrow .... here's hoping I'm not 'took bad' during the night!

A couple of years ago I was admitted to hospital for emergency gall bladder pain which was followed you surgery and a couple of days in hospital, My DH couldn't find my clean P,J,s or my toiletries , thankfully my daughters rallied round and found my things including spare undies , glasses, knitting ,
Ever since I have had as all bag with essentials all packed, I hope I won't need them, but just in case, !!!

This actually happened to me - emergency admission - and all I had chance to grab were my toothbrush, some blusher, so I didn't scare the grandson! and some underwear.
I had to keep the hospital gowns on as I knew the OH would have no chance of bringing the correct items, had to use hospital shower stuff, Was not a pleasant experience and so glad to come home to my familiar bits!
I was dressed for outdoors on admittance so I told the hubs to take them, keep them in the car and bring back on discharge day - the only way I could be sure I didn't have to go home in the gown.
By the way there are sockets to plug a mobile phone in.

Deja Vu, last year I fell over in a service station car park, and ended up spending two weeks in hospital, miles from home. Had to send my daughter shopping for essentials.
Last Monday I fell flat on my face, again in a car park. Good job I don't worry about my looks as my face is cut and bruised down one side. Ended up in hospital again, but used their nightdress, open at back, and other items.
I said that I should start carrying a packed bag in the car.

Haha happened to me too, fell on the stairs and broke my ankle approximately 4 years ago now. Emergency middle of the night admission and surgery and my poor DH was left at home, didn't even know how to operate the washing machine!!
Luckily I work at the hospital and it's reasonably close to home so 'my things' were not the problem, just his discomfort at managing the household ?

I had a bag packed resdy a good while ago, at the time there was only a very slight chance I might be admitted to hospital. Thank goodness I did as my condition became a
severe enough for . me to take myself off to A and E. Thought I would be sent home but was admitted. I was able to contact a friend whom I directed where to find my bag. Ever since I have kept a bag ready and having experienced a stay in hospital was better able to know what I would need. Its also a good idea, if you take medication, to put a list in your bag.
Obviously you may never need it but if you live alone it's quite difficult for someone to go in and find what you want.

Great ideas. Not morbid,just practical. I always take some nice body cream when I visit someone in hospital. The air conditioning/heat in there can really dry your skin. I too was caught out a couple of years ago wearing no clothes in bed. It was a very hot night. I had fallen down the stairs earlier that day, woke up at night and couldn't move. Called the ambulance and was very embarrassed!

No! " Don't trouble trouble till trouble troubles you", is my motto. Like oldgoose, I would feel I was tempting fate.

Not quite on topic, but related. Get the green cross "Message in a bottle" bottle. The Lions do it, but other organisations may do as well.
www.ambulance.wales.nhs.uk/?pageId=2&gcid=837&lan=en

An interesting division of views - I wonder whether opinions depend on the poster's age, health, and experience of hospitalisation?

Probably true Elegran. I have no reason to believe (with fingers crossed) that I will need hospital treatment in the reasonable future apart from anything elective, so as I said in my post, I'd never really thought about it. Also importantly I can depend on DH to bring in anything I need and to quickly organise a bag for me - as I would for him.

I read this thread yesterday and had nightmares all night trying to remember what to put in my bag!
I'm going to pack one though, as I had an unexpected hospital stay and only remembered my toothbrush and phone!

MammaN, see my post. I have an A4 sheet on top of the contents of the first drawer of my chest, which would be the first place DDs would look for clothes. It tells where the bag is kept, and what extras to add if not with me.
Mine is a large sports bag.