Documents you will need:

• Your hospital card.
• Your MCP card. If you live in another Canadian province, please bring your provincial Health Insurance Card.
• Other hospital insurance card (Blue Cross, etc).

What to bring with you:

When coming for admission to the hospital, please bring the following:

• All prescription medicine that you are taking. It is important to tell your doctor about any medication you are taking.
• Pajamas or nightgowns.
• Robe and slippers.
• Dressing gown.
• Personal toiletries such as a comb, brush, toothbrush, toothpaste, shaving kit, notepaper, pen, books, etc.
• A small amount of money (no more than $20 is recommended). Payment for television and phone rentals should be arranged before you leave the hospital.
• Special equipment or devices that you use like a cane, walker, hearing aid, stomy appliance, etc.
• All patients have small closets but they are not suitable to store suitcases.
• Please arrange to have your suitcase taken home or bring items in an expandable travel bag that can be folded and stored in the closet.
  

What to leave at home:

• Important papers that cannot be replaced.
• Large amount of money or cheques (over $20).
• Non-prescription drugs and medications.
• Any alcoholic beverages.
• Personal items that are important to you.
• Expensive jewelry or clothing.
• All electrical appliances (such as shavers, radios, clocks, TV's) brought to the hospital must be checked by the maintenance staff before use.
• This is a safety measure to ensure equipment used by you meets hospital standards related to fire and patient safety. Inform the nurse of all electrical appliances and arrangements will be made for the maintenance staff to check them. 
• The hospital does not accept responsibility for any lost or stolen valuables.

Personal Information:

When you are admitted to hospital, or when you come in for tests or procedures, it is important that you update your personal information with the Admitting Clerk.  If any of the following has charged, please inform the Clerk:

• Name
• Martial Status
• Address
• Next of Kin
• Work Place
• Phone Numbers
• Family Physician
• Religion
• Other Pertinent Information

Admission:

• Patients being admitted to the hospital should arrive at 12:30 pm. This applies to Sunday admissions as well as during the week. Go directly to the Admissions Office to see the clerk. The admitting clerk will ask you a number of questions. When the admissions process is complete, you will be brought to your room.
• The nurse will explain any equipment that is in the room and take you on a tour of the unit so that you will feel familiar with your surroundings.
• If you have dentures, eyeglasses, hearing aids, or contact lenses remember to use the proper storage containers. Proper storage will ensure that they are not mistakenly thrown in the garbage. Do not wrap items in tissues, towels, etc. or leave them in common areas.
• Your hospital bed is probably higher and narrower than your bed at home. You may also find that the medications and treatments you receive will make you feel unsteady. For these reasons please ask for help when getting in or out of bed unless the nurse feels that you are well enough to do this alone. For your safety the nurse may also raise one or both side rails on your bed, especially at night.