Other important information about your stay
Screening
To protect all our patients from potential infections, we ask everyone coming into hospital or attending outpatients a number of questions about their health.
These questions may include ones about CJD (Mad Cow Disease) and MRSA. Asking these questions doesn’t mean that we think you may have these illnesses. The government requires us to ask these questions to
protect all patients, so please don’t worry.
In addition to this, we now routinely swab patients for MRSA when they are admitted to hospital. This is in line with national policy. If you haven’t been swabbed within 12 hours of arrival, please speak to a member of staff.
Consent
Many of the treatments and procedures we use do carry some risk. We will talk to you about these risks before we do anything and ask you to sign a consent form that gives us the go ahead to give you your treatment. Only sign this form if you are happy that you understand what is going to happen and the risks involved.
Medication and other treatments
Some of the medicines and treatments we use contain ingredients that come from human or animal sources. If you have any concerns about this, please tell your doctor so that we can tell you if this applies to any medicines or treatments planned for you and discuss alternatives.
Hospital notes and confidentiality
To provide you with the best medical care we need to keep notes of your condition, treatment and progress. We would like to assure you that this information, which forms your medical record, is kept confidential at all times. For more details about how we use your records and what the law allows see the leaflet ‘Information about your health’ which can be found on the NHS Sheffield website www.sheffield.nhs.uk/confidentiality
You also have a legal right to see your medical records. If you wish to do this, please talk to your nurse. Please note that we do charge for making copies of your records. We also make a charge for you to see your records if no new entries have been made in the 40 days before your request.
Teaching at the hospital
As a teaching hospital, we have a responsibility to train future doctors, nurses and other health professionals. This means that students may be present during your treatment and be involved in your care. All our students work under the supervision of a qualified member of staff.
By allowing students to be involved in your care you can make a valuable contribution to their training. If you prefer not to, please tell a member of staff as soon as possible. You have a right to do this, and your decision and will not affect your treatment in any way.
Research at the hospital
Many of the treatments available today have been developed as a result of patients and families taking part in laboratory and clinical research. As a trust we support a range of research activities and you may be asked to take part. You do not have to agree to this and your decision will not affect the treatment you receive. If you would like more information about being involved in research, speak to a member of staff.
Organ donation
Organ transplantation saves and enhances people’s lives. It is often the best or even the only treatment for many patients suffering from disease or failure of a major organ such as the kidneys, liver or lungs.
Many patients each year benefit from a transplant, but this depends entirely on the generosity of donors and their families who are willing to consider organ and tissue donation. If you would like more information about joining the NHS Organ Donor Register visit the UK Transplant website www.uktransplant.org.uk or call free on 0300 123 23 23.
Smoking
Our hospitals are smoke free, which means that you are not allowed to smoke anywhere in the buildings or grounds. If you would like help to stop smoking please telephone the Sheffield Stop Smoking Service on 0800 068 4490.
Zero tolerance
Our staff are here to help you so please treat them with respect. Violent or abusive behaviour, either physical or verbal, is not acceptable and will not be tolerated, we will take appropriate action, which may include prosecution.
Benefits and pensions
If you get any of the following benefits either on their own or as part of a pension payment, please call the relevant office and let them know that you will be coming into hospital. You need to do this, as sometimes, a stay in
hospital will affect the benefit you are receiving.
• Income support Local Jobcentre Plus
• Disability Living Allowance/ 0845 712 3456
Attendance Allowance
• Carer’s Allowance 01253 856 123
• Constant Attendance Local Jobcentre Plus
Allowance (Industrial Injuries)
• Constant Attendance 0800 169 2277
Allowance (War Pension)
For more detailed information about how a hospital stay might affect any of the benefits or pensions you receive, pick up a copy of the leaflet ‘Going into Hospital’ (ref.DWP1029) from your local Jobcentre Plus or if you have
internet access www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
