The Importance of Being Prepared
Things to do and think of before your admission to our hospital:
- Check your admission date. You will have received a letter containing your admission date (the date planned for you to come into hospital) and details about where to go. If you are not sure when to come in or where to go, please telephone the contact number on your letter.
- Please check with your GP if you have a cold or other infection, as this may need to be treated prior to your admission. If you are not able to keep your admission date, please contact our admission office immediately.
- If possible arrange for a friend or relative to bring you to hospital. They can take away clothes, property and valuables not needed by you during your stay.
- You must not take any alcohol before coming to the hospital on the night before or on the day of admission.
What To Bring With You
- A letter from GP or pharmacist listing all the medications you are taking.
- Medical card / VHI / BUPA Insurance identification.
- 2 sets of nightwear.
- Dressing gown, slippers and walking shoes with good support and firm grip on soles. (Storage on the ward is limited. Therefore, only bring clothes you will need and if possible ask someone to take your outdoor clothes home).
- Toiletries, bath towel, hand towel and 2 face cloths.
Medicines
Any medicines that you need will be provided on the ward. If you bring any medicines with you from home, please hand them to staff. When in hospital, do not take any other medicines without the knowledge of your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. If you require medication when leaving the hospital, a prescription will be given to you before discharge. Visit Managing Your Medicines to view how we manage your medicines during your hospital stay.
Money and Valuables
An amount of cash, not exceeding €20 will be sufficient for newspapers etc. We advise you not to bring larger amounts of cash, chequebooks or valuables for security reasons.
The hospital cannot accept responsibility for any personal property or money that is not handed in for safekeeping. Therefore you are responsible for all personal property you retain.
Mealtimes
8.00 - 8:30 breakfast, 12.00 – 12:30 lunch and 4:30 – 5:00 evening tea. Please tell the ward staff if you have any dietary needs. Any special diets prescribed by your doctor are arranged through the dietician and catering officer.
Medical Information
- All the details of your condition and treatment are confidential and are not passed on to anyone except your GP without your permission.
- Please ask your doctor or ward nurse in charge if there is anything you need to know about your condition, treatment or medicines and don’t hesitate to tell them if you don’t understand what you are told.
- Should you have difficulty understanding the information given to you, ask for it to be explained in understandable language.
- The staff will, if you wish, keep your relatives and friends informed of your progress. Please let them know whom you wish to be kept up to date.
Taking Care Of Your Safety
- Our staff are trained in moving and handling techniques that are designed to make moving of patients easier, and to avoid lifting in all but exceptional circumstances.
- You may be shown how to move yourself under supervision as the first step to independence, or you may be moved using simple equipment such as sliding sheets, hoist, etc.
- We may need to fit side rails to your bed during your stay. This will help us care for your safety.
- At all times footwear must be worn when out of bed to prevent injury from sharp objects, slips, trips, falls etc.
- At night, in the interest of your safety, your bed should be kept at the lower position and with brakes in use. Please use call bell for assistance.
Security
- There is a 24 hour security service within the hospital grounds and security cameras are also in place. Do not leave valuable or cash unattended at any time. Please ensure your car doors are locked and do not leave any property visible inside. There is a Hospital Watch in operation.
Environmental Hygiene
The hospital is proud of the hygiene standard achieved to date. Our goal is to contribute to the reduction of healthcare associated infections by ensuring the hospital is clean. We are continuously looking at improvements within our hygiene standards. Your help is needed to keep our hospital clean and help prevent the spread of infection.
- If you are concerned about cleanliness in the hospital or if you spot any dirt or dust, please inform a member of staff
- Place your rubbish in the bins provided, green bins are available for recyclable waste.
- Keep the space around you and your bed tidy and uncluttered so that cleaning staff can access all surfaces easily.
- Do not store any belongings on the floor, use locker & wardrobe provided – some belongings must be sent home if there is not enough space available to store them.
- Always remove your toiletries and clothes from bathrooms after use.
- Do not place any clothes on the radiators.
- Refrain from littering public areas, corridors and the paths outside the hospital.
A clean environment provides the right setting for good patient care practice & good infection control.
Infection Prevention & Control
Infection Prevention and Control is a fundamental part of the hospital’s quality system to ensure the safety and well being of patients, staff and visitors. It will never be possible to prevent all infections, but there are ways you and your relatives can help reduce the risk and keep you safe.
Patients and relatives can help us reduce the spread of infection by:
- Not touching a patient’s wound or dressing or any of their devices e.g. drips or catheters.
- Cleaning your hands before you enter and leave the ward or Department.
- Encouraging your visitors to wash their hands or use the alcohol hand gel provided.
- Visitors should use the public toilets, as patient toilets are for patient use only. Ask your relatives to use the visitors rather than the patient toilets.
- Ask visitors not to sit or lie on your bed.
- Do not bring in food to the patient.
- Do not visit if you are feeling unwell as you may be an infection risk to others e.g. if you have a cold, diarrhoea, vomiting or chicken pox etc.
- Watch out for any additional information notices in the hospital.
- Relatives should adhere to hospital visiting times.
These are just some of the ways we can help reduce the spread of infection with in the hospital. If you require any further information or advice please ask to speak to the ward manager or a member of the nursing staff. Please visit Infection Prevention & Control for further guidance.
Assistance for Diverse Needs
We aim to offer access for all people and we work with local disability groups to improve this. All new building work meets with current laws and guidelines.
Wheelchair:
All entrances and exits are wheelchair accessible.
If you need to borrow a wheelchair please speak to the Portering Department. We should be able to lend you one if one is available.
Toilets and Washroom Facilities:
There are a number of wheelchair accessible facilities throughout the campus. Please ask at Main Reception for the most accessible facility.
Baby Changing Facilities
Facilities available on the Main Concourse (Near the shop), in the Out Patients Department and two facilities in the Cardiac Renal Centre.
Interpretation Services:
We use the services of an interpretation company to ensure effective communication with patients of non-English speaking backgrounds and/or with hearing disabilities. Please let staff know before your appointment if you need an interpreter.
Sign language is also available on request. Interpretation can be done in-person or over the phone.
Access Officers:
The Access Officers for Cork University Hospital are:
Marie J. McCarthy, Services Manager, Cork University Hospital Group. Contact: 021-4921375
Megan Goodale, Occupational Therapy Manager, Contact: 021- 4922402
Chaplain/Pastoral Care
The Chaplaincy Department provides a holistic approach of pastoral care to patients, families and staff and offers round the clock service throughout the hospital. This approach encompasses mind, body and spirit and is done through supporting and journeying with patients and their families during all the stages of sickness.
CUH respects the spiritual practice of all denominations and philosophies. The hospital chaplains are available 24 hours a day to minister to the sick, their families and hospital staff. The chaplains are happy to give support and comfort to all denominations in time of crisis.
There are two churched of worship in the main concourse, the Roman Catholic and Church of Ireland.
Roman Catholic Church (Chapel of Christ our Savour) is located on the first floor, near the staff dining room. Mass times are Monday - Friday 8.30am & 12 noon, Saturday 12 noon & 7.15pm (Vigil Mass), and Sunday 8.30am & 10 am. Holy Communion is brought to the wards three days a week including Sunday, mass is broadcast on CUH FM. Confession is daily after 12 noon Mass, and the anointing of the sick is daily on wards and during 12 noon mass on Wednesday. The rosary is recited each night at 7pm on CUH FM.
Church of Ireland Chapel (Chapel of Christ the Healer) is located along the main concourse near the shop. Holy Communion is celebrated on Sunday at 9.15am and is broadcast live on CUH Radio 102FM. Following this service, Holy Communion is brought to patients on the wards. Ministry of Anointing, penitence and reconciliation is available on request.
Chaplaincy Service
Here at the CUH, we see our role in the Chaplaincy Department as fulfilling the Lord's command to care for the sick. Throughout the gospels we read of Christ's mission to the sick and the troubled.
Services Provided are:
- A Supportive listening presence.
- Availability 24 hours a day
- Regular visiting of all wards
- Specific supports to patients, families and staff in the intensive care units (General ITU, Cardiac ICU, Accident and Emergency)
- Journeying with patients and families during the dying process
- Follow-up, ie. Bereavement Support and Pastoral Counselling
The Multi-denominational Chaplaincy Team is served on a full time basis by 3 Roman Catholic priests, 2 Church of Ireland priests from and a Methodist Minister. In addition students from our Clinical Pastoral Education Centre at CUH and from St Luke’s Home also provide pastoral ministry and care as part of our wider team.
CUH is a Smoke-Free Campus
There is a No Smoking Policy in Cork University Hospital. Relatives and friends are not permitted to smoke within the hospital.
On the 31st of May 2010, Cork University Hospital became a Smoke-Free Campus. This means that smoking will not be permitted anywhere in the Hospital grounds, inside or outside, including doorways, entrances, walkways, roads, car parks, cars, bicycle sheds or bus shelters, This smoke Free Policy will apply to all staff, patients, visitors, contractors and other persons who enter the Hospital grounds for any purpose. A Smoking Cessation service is available to staff and patients who wish to stop smoking. The Smoking Cessation Officer can be contacted in Cork University Hospital at (021) 4922280 and (087) 1219633.
Parking
You can park in any of the public car parks in CUH at a rate of €2.70 per hour up to a maximum daily charge of €15. A reduced daily charge of €10 is available to patients, carers and visitors by contacting a member of the Security department in person or Tel. 021 4922118. As we do not have the space to offer free parking to patients who have to stay in the hospital for an extended period of time, we suggest that where possible, you arrange for someone to bring you to and collect you from the hospital.
All our car park pay stations accept both cash and card payment
Disabled Parking is available outside the Main Entrance and outside the Emergency Department. Please visit Travelling to CUH for further guidance.
Shops
The hospital shop is located in the Main Concourse near the Main Reception. The opening hours are 7:30am - 8:30pm Monday to Friday and 9.00am – 8:00pm on Saturday and Sunday.
There is also a shop is the CUMH adjacent to the Entrance Foyer. The opening hours are 8:30am – 8:30pm daily.
These shops are operated by a private company and are not run by the Hospital.
Shopping Centre
Your visitors might like to know that Wilton Shopping Centre is just a few minutes’ walk from CUH. The centre has many of the big shopping chains and eateries. For more information about the shops in the centre you can contact the centre on 021-4546944 or online at www.wiltonshoppingcentre.ie.
Telephones
As mobile phones can cause life support and diagnostic equipment to malfunction, we ask you not to use your mobile phones in areas where you see signs requesting that your phones be switched off.
Where possible, patients and visitors are encouraged to use the public telephone facilities. These are located on each floor between the wards, on the main concourse, in the A&E waiting area and also in the Out Patients department.
Taxis
Free-phone taxi phones are located in the Outpatients foyer and by the CUH Main Reception.
Relative Accommodation
"Brú Columbanus is an independent charity that provides "home from home" accommodation for relatives of seriously ill patients in any of the Cork Hospitals and the Hospice.