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Disabled people
In hospital
If you go into hospital for a consultation or a longer stay, there are some things you may need to consider before, during and after.
These include:
- informing the hospital of the nature of your disability
- what extra support you need because of your disability
- what happens to any benefits or financial support you normally get
Entering hospital
When you enter hospital an 'admission form' will be completed by you and hospital staff. This is a standard procedure. Sometimes you will be able to complete this form before going to hospital.
The form records any needs which you may want the hospital to be aware of. It's intended to give hospital staff an idea of how much help you may require during your time there.
If your local doctor refers you for treatment in hospital, they should discuss any specific needs you may have with hospital staff, for example, medication.
If you are normally cared for at home you may like to include that person when you talk to hospital staff.
Appointments and consultations
Some arrangements may be particularly important to sort out before going to hospital for a consultation or a longer stay. For example, if you are deaf or have a hearing impairment, arrangements can be made for a sign language interpreter to be available for a certain period.
Some organisations that support people with specific disabilities give advice on staying in hospital.
In hospital
You can discuss any requirements you have with hospital staff before, or on, admission to hospital. This could include:
- any routines that you have
- specialist equipment that the hospital may not be able to provide
- being able to have someone present at certain times, for example, a carer
- easy access to facilities, for example, bathrooms and toilets
- being able to enjoy TV or radio, for example, using a fixed loop or subtitles
Benefits and financial support
If you are going in to hospital you should immediately notify the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and, if necessary, the council office that deals with your claims for Housing and Council Tax Benefit.
This is important as in most cases any benefit entitlement will have to be reassessed to take account of your new circumstances.
If you were not claiming any form of benefit before entering hospital you may be entitled to claim.
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