Before Your Visit To Hospital

You may be coming to hospital as an outpatient, daypatient or you may have to stay for a few days or longer. This part of our site contains information that hopefully you will find useful and will make your visit to us a bit easier.

  What To Expect

You may be coming to Hospital because:

• You need to have tests or examinations to find out what is wrong
• It’s an emergency and you immediate treatment
• You need to have an operation
• You have an illness or condition that needs treatment
• You need a check- up after an operation 

The staff in the hospital all want one thing – for you to feel better!

Being sick in hospital can be really tough for teens/young people. Not just because you might be in pain, need tests or treatments, or have to talk to nurses and doctors, but also it can stop you from doing the things you enjoy. 

We understand this and we know your needs are different to the younger children that come into our hospital.

  Outpatient Appointment

You might need to come to the hospital for an appointment in the outpatient’s department. Your parent or carer will get a letter from Cork University hospital with details of your appointment date and time. They can go in with you to see the doctor or nurse.

  Emergency Department

You might have to visit our Emergency Department if you have had an accident or are very sick and you need urgent treatment. It can be a busy noise place but you will be in the special children’s/young people area where there are toys/books and a television to watch while you are waiting.  

The nurse will call you and your parent in to the examination room to find out what the problem is – You can ask any questions you may have. You might have to have some tests and x-rays and they may want to examine the part of your body that isn't working as it should be. The doctor will come and speak to you and your parent to tell what is causing you to feel sick/in pain and what they will do to try and help you get better. If you don’t understand what the doctor is saying you can ask any questions you may have. This may mean that you can go home, or you might have to be admitted to hospital. 

  What To Pack

You are packing for an inpatient stay in hospital and not sure what to bring? Here are some tips for you:

• PJ’s, dressing gown, slippers
• Comfortable clothes- It can get very warm in hospital so don’t forget to bring a t-shirt
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, hairbrush, deodorant and other toiletries
• Favourite music on your Ipod and headphones
• Books and magazines
• Card games
• Personal games console
• Mobile phone of tablet – you can get online using CUH WiFi with a password
• Don’t forget your charger!
• You might want to bring your favourite blanket, cuddly toy, or something to make you feel at home.
• School work if you are staying longer than a few days- and some pens and paper.