Information for Inpatients
Admission location
Dorset County Hospital
Willliams Avenue
Dorchester
DT1 2JY
01305 251150
The nearest entrance to your admission location will be marked on your appointment letter.
Travel
Please be aware that the hospital transport service is only available to patients that have a medical need for the transport. Eligibility criteria can be obtained via your GP.
More information about public transport, parking and site maps is available here.
How will I be informed about my surgery date?
We will contact you by telephone to arrange a date for your surgery. It is very important we have your daytime contact telephone number in our records.
How long will I wait for my surgery date?
We will endeavour to treat you within 18 weeks from your GP referral. In order to do this we need to ensure that all the patients on our waiting list are ready, willing and available to come in for surgery:
Ready - depending on your planned surgery you will be asked to come for a pre-operative assessment appointment or complete a medical questionnaire.
If you are found to have a medical condition which could delay your surgery, your care will be returned to your GP and he/she will re-refer you when you are ready.
Willing - by giving your consent for your operation or procedure you are confirming you are happy to go ahead with your surgery. If after discussing this with family and friends you change your mind, please let us know as soon as possible.
Available - we realise there may be some dates that will be inconvenient for you. We hope we will be in a position to offer you a date that is mutually convenient. It is important that you inform us if you wish to delay your admission. This will of course affect our ability to treat you within 18 weeks.
You can find more information and advice about waiting for surgery on our Waiting Well page.
Reasonable offer date for surgery
If clinically appropriate we will telephone you at least three weeks prior to your date of surgery. However you will be given the opportunity for short notice admission (less than three weeks). We will hopefully be in a position to offer you up to three dates. If you are unable to accept any of these dates we may return you to your GP. Your GP will re-refer you when you are available.
What happens if I cancel my surgery date?
You will agree the date of your surgery verbally and we will follow this up with a letter confirming the arrangements that have been made. If the date of your surgery then becomes inconvenient you should notify the Admissions Department as early as possible prior to your surgery date using the phone number on your letter. A 'patient pause' may be added from the point you make contact to the point you are available for surgery. If you do not inform us and fail to arrive for admission, we may return your care back to your GP. If your GP considers that you should be seen again he/she will re-refer you. For full details please refer to our Patient Access Policy.
You can help us to keep waiting times down by ensuring you contact us if you are unable to keep your admission date.
Consenting for treatment
Health professionals need to gain your consent. Before having your operation you should be asked to sign a consent form. Before you consent be sure that you are aware of the risks, benefits and alternatives. You can withdraw consent at any time.
What should I bring with me?
Depending on your length of stay you will need toiletries and nightwear. Please do not bring any expensive jewellery or clothing into the hospital as we are unable to accept responsibility for items not secured in the safe.
Please bring a supply of your regular medication with you, including any injections, inhalers, eye drops or patches - this helps hospital staff prescribe your medication correctly, prevents delays in treatment and reduces waste.
Simple steps to keep you safe during your hospital stay
While you are in hospital, keeping you safe and well is a priority for the staff looking after you. There are also some simple things you can do to help keep yourself safe during your hospital stay, such as asking for help when needed, protecting yourself from slips and falls and helping to prevent blood clots.
The NHS England National Patient Safety Team have created a video and leaflet providing tips on keeping yourself safe during your hospital stay.
Video – British Sign Language (BSL) version
Leaflet (available in a range of languages)
Same sex accommodation
We are committed to privacy dignity and patient safety and as such complies with the Government's requirement to eliminate mixed-sex accommodation, except where it is in the patients best interest or reflects personal choice, for example in critical care and specialist care settings where the clinical safety needs of the patient take priority.
Involving carers, relatives and friends
We recognise and value the role of patients' carers, relatives and friends and will respect your wishes with regard to their involvement in your care.
Planning your discharge
You should start thinking now about your discharge arrangements and any help that you will need after you go home. We will aim to keep your stay in hospital as short as possible. On the day of your discharge you will be transferred to the Discharge Lounge to await collection. There is a designated pick up area for your convenience if someone is collecting you by car.
Research studies
This hospital actively contributes to research. You may therefore be approached to discuss the opportunity to participate in a study. More information about our Research and Innovation Department is available here.
Your personal information
Please be assured that all of your information is treated confidentially and only shared on a 'need to know basis'.
Under the Data Protection Act you are entitled to see information held on your health record. For details please call 01305 255442 or email SubjectAccessRequest@dchft.nhs.uk
Staff protection
We have a responsibility to protect our staff from violence, threatening behaviour and verbal abuse. Staff have the same rights as patients to be treated with respect and dignity at all times and are asked to record incidences of violence and aggression.
No smoking policy
A no smoking policy is strictly enforced at all our hospital sites. If you are a smoker due to come into hospital please speak to your GP about getting support or contact the LiveWell Dorset service on 0800 840 1628 or visit LiveWell Dorset website.
Mobile telephones
Mobile telephones can be used in the hospital. However, they should not be used around sensitive medical equipment where there is a particularly high risk of interference. Signs around the hospital will make it clear which areas you shouldn't use your mobile telephone in. In these areas, mobile telephones should be switched off or have 'airplane mode' enabled. Please do not just leave the device on silent or vibrate as it could still affect medical equipment. For further information please click here.
Refreshments
Refreshments are available at Dorset County Hospital from Damers Restaurant (North Wing Level 2) and at the Terrace Café (South Wing Level 2).
More information regarding refreshments and catering is available here.