Hospital Bag

Don't unpack it tiredoldwoman. The whole idea is to have one at the ready at all times. Glad that you and JackyB are on the mend, hope you continue to improve.
I got out my bag a few weeks ago and put it on the landing, when having palpitations and my heart was jumping all over the place. Fortunately not needed, and all well now.

I had been feeling odd for a while, on holiday actually. When we got back, I really felt odd, and, on impulse, packed a bag ready. Finally couldn't stand it any longer and went to the hospital at midnight on a Saturday night! Bag was in car and, as I had suspected, they kept me in and removed my gall bladder.

The idea of keeping a bag ready for emergencies is brilliant, and, I would say those who think it's pessimistic and asking for trouble: it's the umbrella thing. If you have an umbrella with you, it won't rain.

And to connect the thread to all the de-cluttering threads - is there a way you can donate pyjamas, nighties, or dressing gowns to hospitals to enable people who are admitted unexpectedly to retain a little dignity?

Label everything. My voluntary role includes trying to locate lost items for patients and I'm rarely successful. Keep some spare stick-on labels in the washbag.
What size bag? Well, remember that everything will have to fit in that bedside cupboard.
Those choosing not to pack a bag are leaving others with an unnecessary burden. Presumably they don't have a will either.

I've done one now! I bought a new, small sports bag from a charity shop and filled it with lots of travel sized toiletries, spare nighty and cotton wrap,slippers etc. Put a note in the top to remind me to take phone and charger and told my dd. She agreed it's a good idea while secretly thinking that I'm mad!

I packed one last night !! Have been newly diagnosed with cellulitis and feeling really ill yesterday when I came home from work . I was beginning to get frightened .
This morning however , I'm feeling much better , day 3 of anti biotics , they must be working now.
I've never been in hospital apart from having babies , in my pain and stress I couldn't think what to gather . wash stuff, nightie , pen and paper to write out my will !
I'm away to unpack it !

I work in an emergency receiving ward in my local hospital and see many people come in with nothing. We have a red bag on top of the wardrobe that can be, and has been, grabbed in an emergency that has enough to tide hubby and I over for the first 12 hours.
It has a pair of pants each, pj's, slippers, toileteries, a list of daily medication and £2.
If somebody was staying in longer then we would take radio, laptop, ( give me a chance to clear out my every growing photo collection) medication, a charger, etc.
Our ward has plenty of spare sockets and everybody seems to have chargers with them. Technically they should have them checked before use but nobody does.
The other thing that is very popular these days is adult colouring books.
My must have essential would be my pillows, the hospital ones are awful.

Sorry, missed reading third page before last post .

Elegran, I also think those of us who are widowed or live alone may view a 'hospital bag' as more of a necessity than those whose partner might reasonably (?) be expected to be able to gather a few essentials together in an emergency.

I do remember when I was in hospital after an op a few years ago talking DH through the the things I needed via phone as he wandered round the bedroom searching for the right drawer...

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.

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!

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.

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

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

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

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!

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.

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 ?

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.

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.

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 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!

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.

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

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!

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.