Lip balm. Hospitals being what they are, they get very dry and not eating doesn't help. Take a pot of fruity flavoured lip balm to lubricate and prevent chaps.

A goodly supply of batteries is useful if you take in a Walkman or CD player, and a clear plastic box with a clip on lid (try the Really Useful Box company for some excellent boxes) so that things can be kept together but easily transported and seen through the sides.

LTS