Blackpool Victoria Hospital - Getting you Home

Our patient menus are designed with you in mind, our meals make sure they provide the right nutrition for health and wellbeing. Drinks, including tea, coffee, water, milk, and juice are available throughout the day. Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements not catered for on the standard menu, such as gluten-free and Halal meals, and our chef team will adapt recipes for your needs. 

Mealtimes are an important part of the day, and have a 'Protected Mealtimes' policy, meaning you should not be interrupted during mealtimes, unless it is essential.

• Try small frequent meals and snacks to boost your appetite
• Try to eat protein foods such as meat, fish, cheese or beans
• Try to have a dessert in addition to main meals
• Ask for cups of milk as well as hot drinks
• Ask your visitors to bring your favourite snacks next time they come
• Eat little and often
• Stay hydrated

For both visitors, and patients, if you fancy something a bit different, the restaurant serves a breakfast, lunch and supper service every weekday (Monday to Friday). 

At the weekends, a breakfast and lunch services is provided in the restaurant. It closes at 2pm on Saturday and Sunday.

There is a cash machine by the escalators in the main entrance, vending facilities and post box on site. 

Find out more here: Eating and shopping :: Blackpool Teaching Hospitals.

Keeping you safe and well is a priority for us while you are in hospital. There are also some simple things you can do, if appropriate, to help keep yourself safe during your hospital stay. Even a little bit of activity every day can help you maintain your independence. 

Sticking to a routine that is similar to what you do at home, such as getting out of bed, getting dressed or walking to the bathroom, can help to aid your recovery and reduce deconditioning. There are lots of benefits to keeping active while you're in hospital, such as:

• Improve your sleep and mood - read or do a puzzle
• Improve your appetite - eat little-and-often nutritious meals
• Reduce the risk of pressure sores - walk around (ask for help if you need it)
• Reduce risks of slips and falls - wear the appropriate footwear, such as slippers
• Maintain a routine - sit up for meals and visitors 
• Cope better with your return home - get washed and dressed each.

MYTH BUSTER

It is not safe for you to get out of bed

If you are able to, maintaining your normal routine of getting up dressed and moving throughout the day as you normally do will help to get you home more quickly. 

Find out more about Keeping Well in Hospital here: Keep well in hospital :: Blackpool Teaching Hospitals.

Speak to us and see how we can help...

There may be many reasons why you may be waiting to go home like needing some community support, package of care or you have more complex needs. 

The nurse in charge of your ward or a discharge facilitators (in the red polo top) can discuss your options with you. With your permission, we'll also contact your family/carers to discuss your return home.

Many patients can go home without needing any further support. If you are not able to go home, you may be moved to a transfer of care ward, where they focus on organising your future care needs. 

Contact the discharge facilitators on 01253 954444.

Find out more here: What is stopping you from going home? :: Blackpool Teaching Hospitals.

• What is wrong with me?
• What is going to happen next? 
• What can I do to help myself get better?
• When am I likely to go home?

Where appropriate, and with your consent, we will involve your family or carers in making decisions about your health and care. You might find it helpful to include them in our discussions. 

Find out more here: Getting home from hospital :: Blackpool Teaching Hospitals.

The hospital is the right place to be when you are in need of specialist medical care. But when your treatment is finished, it is much better for you to leave hospital as soon as possible.

We will aim to get you home before lunchtime.

You will go to the hospital's Discharge Lounge while you wait to go home. We will look after you here until you leave hospital. 

There is free entertainment, comfortable seating and meals and refreshments provided throughout the day. For family and friends picking you up there is a convenient pick-up bay just outside outpatients. 

• My transport is organised
• I have suitable clothes and shoes to go home in
• I know about my medication
• I have my house keys
• Do I need extra support at home?
• Can someone turn my heating on during the winter months or buy me some basic food items to help me recover in the first few days?

If not, please speak with your medical team.