Prior to being admitted to hospital you will receive information about your hospital stay from your doctor, assigned nurse or patient pathway coordinator. You will also receive an admission letter which may have some guidance to help prepare you for admission to hospital. For instance, depending on the reason for your hospital stay, the letter may provide specific instructions as to whether you are able to consume food or drink before your admission.
Contacting the hospital
Please note you are advised to contact the hospital the day before admission to confirm your admission date. This will assist in hospital planning with regards to bed and room allocation. If you are a wheelchair user, phoning ahead will allow someone to accompany you from the main entrance of the hospital to the ward. The use of the hospital interpreter service can also be requested prior to admission.
Changes to your admission date
Admission dates cannot be changed other than in urgent circumstances. Patients should contact their doctor in these exceptional circumstances. If you are feeling unwell on your admission date you should still report for admission at the hospital.
What should I bring?
For identification purposes, all patients should bring the following items with them:
- Valid health card
- Admission card
- Passport/ID copies
All medical documents and prescriptions you are taking (in their original containers), should be brought to the hospital. Once you have been admitted, the hospital will be able to provide you with prescribed medications. If you require a walking or hearing aid, please bring these with you.
In terms of clothes/toiletries the National Center for Cancer Care and Research provides for patients:
- Night gowns for males and females, however patient preference will be respected
- Slippers or soft shoes
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, hairbrush, towel and tissues
- Books and magazines
Additional items can be brought at your own discretion. If you are a non-Qatari resident, you are required to pay hospital charges and so should also bring money for the payment of these fees. Other patients may wish to bring a small amount of money for buying items they would like to purchase within the hospital.
