UK acute wards

[mikey]

Are you allowed the following:

phone with camera
laptop
is there internet?
craft things (scissors, needles etc)

Thanks.

[whirlpools]

On my ward, or last time I was there:

- yes.
- yes.
- no.
- possibly, depending on risk.

Please be aware that valuables often get stolen so make sure they're locked away safely or on your person.

Wishing you luck.

[Wonderland.]

On the ward I was on my list is exactly the same as above.

It may be a good idea if you are going on to an acute ward to ring the specific one up and ask what you aren't allow just so you know.

[not_so_insig]

On my ward they only allowed craft things to be used within sight of the nurses so once you had finished with them the nurses kept them safe for you.

Razor blades are generally not allowed either so if you suffer from excess hair you will either have to be hairy or take some veet with you. I don't know if this applies to you but it does to me so it's something to consider.

Like others have said jewellery should be left at home same goes for valuables and large amounts of money. My local psych unit has special system which means only you or the nurses can open the door as they gave you a special key fob but the old psych ward didn't have anything like that so anyone could pinch anything. It never happened to me though.

My psych unit has wifi but I have never tested it because last time I was IP it wasn't installed. But most psych units don't have wifi and mobile phone coverage may be poor so don't be surprised if you don't have any Internet access whilst you're there.

[Sneckie]

Its about 5 years since I was last in. I was allowed a laptop but no razors or scissors. I bought one of those dongle things that give you a certain amount of online usage. Def helped to pass the time. Craft items only during craft session which we rare. In fact activities were very rare in general. Good job I dont mind my own company. Read books, listened to music and exercised in the garden when I could.

[sherlock holmes]

It depends on the hospital you are going into, the type of ward and your observation levels. Each hospital has its own rules, for example in two hospitals I was in there was a complete no mobile phone, no laptop and no internet policy. However in the others I was allowed my phone and laptop (though there was no wifi unless you used mobile data or a dongle).

Regarding sharp things like scissors and needles they will most likely be kept in the nurse's office, and only given to you when it is deemed safe. It's also to keep other patients safe as someone could see your scissors and decide to steal them to use either to harm themselves or someone else.

I've been able to use razors in hospital, but like I said before they were kept by the nurses and given to me when I needed them in the shower if it was decided I was safe enough to use it. And afterwards I had to give it straight back. Sometimes they checked me for fresh cuts too.