General information

Contents

Also in this section:

Patient consent

Before a doctor or other health professional examines or treats you they need your consent. The process is detailed here.

Confidentiality

Our pledge to confidentiality.

Personal property

Advice on what property you should and should not bring.

Chapel

 

Pharmacy

 

Hospedia (formerly Patientline)

 

NHS Core Principles

Our commitment to you, your commitment to us.

Staff protection - lone worker alarms

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (DCHFT) has a responsibility to protect its staff from incidents of violence, threatening behaviour and verbal abuse. Our staff can now use devices to monitor and record incidents where they feel their safety is threatened. Evidence, including audio recordings, obtained through these devices may be used in criminal and civil proceedings and/or to take local sanctions against alleged offenders. DCHFT is responsible for the use of the devices and any recordings. For more information call the hospital's Local Security Management Specialist on 01305 255271. DCHFT will continue to take any necessary steps to safeguard patient confidentiality.

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No smoking policy

A new Smoke Free Policy was introduced on 1 January 2006, banning smoking entirely on the Dorset County Hospital site. Smoking is now prohibited in all hospital buildings and grounds. The ban applies to staff, patients and visitors.

If you are a smoker due to come into hospital please speak to your GP about getting support or contact the Dorset SmokeStop service on tel: 0800 007 6653 or visit www.dorsetsmokestop.co.uk

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Alcohol and illegal drugs policy

There is a strict ban on patients and visitors bringing alcohol and illegal drugs into any of our hospitals. Any illegal drugs or alcohol found will be confiscated, and in the case of illegal drugs the matter will be reported to the police.

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Mobile Phone use

You can only use mobile phones in certain ‘safe’ areas of the hospital such as main corridors, entrance foyers, stairways and the restaurant. ‘Bluetooth’ must not be used anywhere inside the hospital as it can interfere with medical equipment. Payphones are available.

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Flowers

In line with many other hospitals, fresh flowers are no longer allowed on wards at Dorset County Hospital as part of our efforts to make the patient environment as clean and safe as possible.

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Refreshments

Dorset County Hospital has a restaurant as well as a café, tea bar and shop run by the hospital’s League of Friends.

For more information:

We would ask patients to dress appropriately when using the restaurant areas.

In addition, vending machines serving drinks and snacks are situated in various locations throughout the hospital.

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Post

Your friends and relatives can send you mail during your stay in hospital. Please make sure they write your name and ward clearly on the envelope before sending it to:

Dorset County Hospital
Williams Avenue
Dorchester
Dorset DT1 2JY

There is a post box next to the League of Friends Shop in North Wing, Level 1. Ward staff will be happy to post letters for you.

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Cash machine

Dorset County Hospital has a cash machine sited near the main reception area.

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How to access your medical records

Under the Data Protection Act 1998, you are entitled to see information on your health. If you wish to do so write to the Health Records Administrator at the address below who will make the necessary arrangements for copying the notes and making them available to you. There is a small charge made for this service.

Health Records Administrator
Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Dorset County Hospital
Dorchester DT1 2JY

or email: Health.RecordsAdministrator@dchft.nhs.uk

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