Lost property

Looking after your belongings

We kindly ask patients, visitors, and carers not to bring special, valuable, or expensive items to the hospital if they are not needed.
This includes things that cannot be replaced if lost.

If you do bring items with you, you are responsible for them. The hospital cannot take responsibility if items are lost or damaged.

Telling staff about your belongings

When you come into hospital, please tell the staff about any items you bring with you.
Staff will add these to a property list.

If you move to a different ward, take items home, or bring in new items, the property list should be updated by staff.

If something goes missing

If an item goes missing, please:

1. Contact the ward or department where the item was last seen.
   Staff will try their best to find it.
2. If the item cannot be found, please complete a Claim Form
3. Send the completed form to PALS at
   rduh.pals@nhs.net

Please make sure the claim is made within 2 months of your hospital stay. Claims made after this time are unlikely to be accepted.

Important to know

• Finding lost property can take some time.
• Not all lost items can be paid for.
• You may be asked to provide receipts.
• If you were well enough to look after your belongings and the hospital was not at fault, your claim may not be approved.

For more information, please see our Property Policy (published soon).