Coming to hospital

Admission

All admissions are registered at the front Reception Desk, on the ground floor. Your details will be checked, either with you or your family, and you will receive formal notification of any costs associated with your care.

Finding your way around

During renovations it can be a bit confusing - please ask any of the staff to assist you with directions.

Parking

Personalised Service - visitors are our priority!

Parking is always a challenge during a redevelopment but our visitors are our highest priority and we are committed to maintaining onsite parking for visitors.

Our parking attendants are there to serve you - let them know your specific needs when they greet you at the gate.

One permit for discounted parking is available from reception for each family.

Public transport

There is a bus stop outside the hospital. Check Translink for details by phoning 13 12 30 or visiting wwwtranslink.com.au. Translink will also be able to provide information on the ferry service.

What to bring

A few personal items, to make you feel more comfortable, is all you will need. We suggest a dressing gown,  nightwear, slippers, underwear, toiletries and an electric razor (men). If you use disposable razors, they must be kept at all times in a puncture-proof case, to prevent sharp injuries. Glasses, contact lenses and dentures should be in a protective case when not being used.

If you are being admitted for inpatient Transitional Care, Rehabilitation or Pain Management or another active program, you will also need comfortable day cloths and walking shoes. Please make sure all your belongings are clearly identified.

Please bring entitlement cards e.g. Centrelink, DVA, Medicare, health fund and your Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA) and Advanced Health Directive if you have one.

What not to bring

Don't bring large sums of money; you will need just a small amount for buying newspapers and incidentals. For safekeeping, it's best to leave your bank card, valuables and jewellery (other than watches and wedding rings) at home.

Alcohol consumption

Sometimes alcohol is contra-indicated, so please don't bring any to the hospital unless you have first checked with your doctor.

Allied Health Services

You may be referred to various allied health professional during your stay, if your condition requires it. Please discuss your specific needs with your doctor.

Cafeteria

Located on the ground floor adjacant to the lifts Lilian's Cafe is open to staff, volunteers, patients and visitors Monday to Friday 9.30 am to 3pm and Saturday from 9.30 to 1pm.

Electrical equipment

We strive to provide a safe environment for our staff, patients and visitors. So our electrician must check electrical equipment you bring with you to the hospital. Please ask the staff on your ward to organise this check before you use any of your own electrical items.

Hairdresser

If you would like a visit from the hairdresser, the Ward Administrative Officer or Front Reception Staff can arrange it for you. Payment for this service will be added to your hospital account.

Heating devices

Please note that hot water bottles are not to be used within the hospital. Wheat packs and electric blankets are also not used in the hospital unless authorised by your doctor and under the supervision of trained staff such as a physiotherapist.

Pastoral care, chaplains and chapel

You can choose to receive pastoral or spiritual support during your stay. For patients, family or friends religious affiliation or denomination is not a prerequisite for receiving these private and confidential services. The pastoral care staff are able to advise you regarding chapel access and service times. If you wish to speak with a pastoral carer the ward staff will be able to contact them for you.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in hospital buildings. A designated smoking area is provided at the hospital and it's recommended that patients access this area only with an able-bodied relative or friend. We do not expose staff to passive smoking by allowing them to escort patients to the smoking area.

Taxi phone

A taxi phone is available on the ground floor.

Telephones

During the redevelopment telephones are not available in all ward areas, but each ward has a cordless phone which can be taken to patients bedsides. Mobile phones may also be used within ward areas.

Television and radio

Each bed has a radio within the nurse call handset. Most beds have an overhead television. Once the redevelopment is complete all beds will have these facilities.

Volunteers

Volunteers are an integral part of our team, providing a variety of extra support and services to patients and families within the hospital.

Discharge Planning

We understand your desire to return home as soon a possible. Please be assured that we will do everything we can to help make it a smooth transition. We can advise you on available community support and arrange ongoing services as required. If necessary, we can even help your family navigate the process of finding a residential care facility. For more information, call (07) 3240 1221.

When you are preparing for discharge, it's wise to arrange for non-essential belongings to be given to relatives or carers a few days ahead of time. This is particularly relevant if you are being transferred by ambulance, as they can only take one bag of belongings. Walking aids and excess baggage will need to be collected from the ward by family or friends. Should belongings not be collected within a month they may be donated to charity.

Accounts and payments

There might be some out-of-pocket expenses while you are with us. Our office staff will go through the specific details with you or your family. For further clarification, please call the Admission Office on (07) 3240 1213, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or ask to see one of the accounts staff in the main Reception area.

Hospital accounts will be mailed fortnightly, or at the conclusion of your stay. If the final account is in credit, an Electronic Funds Transfer refund will be arranged and credited to the account. For Interim Care patients, setting up a direct transfer from Centrelink or DVA is our preferred payment option.

All payments can be made at Reception on the ground floor. Between  9.00am and 4.00pm Monday to Friday and 9.00am and 1.00pm on weekends. For your convenience, we accept payment by cash, cheque, money order or bPay.

If you have any question s please don't hesitate to call Patient Accounts on (07) 3240 1218.

Quality Assurance

As a member of St Vincent's and Holy Spirit Health, we are fully accredited with the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards.

Having your say

Patients have the right to speak freely about any aspect of their care, treatment or stay. Please direct any concerns or complaints to the Unit Manager or After Hours Hospital Coordinator - feedback forms are available at Reception or from staff in ward areas. We welcome your comments, and aim to reach a mutually satisfying resolution to complaints as quickly as possible.

Patients Rights

As a patient you have the right:

To be informed about your illness and to participate in decisions relating to your health and wellbeing

To be treated with courtesy, consideration, and professional competence

To be assured that your medical and personal details remain confidential

To consent to or refuse treatment at any stage and to receive information on the consequences

To be respected for your beliefs, ethics, cultural and religious practices

To have access to pastoral/spiritual care

To know the names and professional status of the people involved in providing your care

To be entitled to access personal information and/or Hospital Health Care Policies that relate to your as a patient

To freely express your views concerning the level of care or service you have received

Patients Responsibilities

As a patient you have the responsibility:

To know your rights as a patient and if in doubt, to raise any queries with staff

To discuss your care with caregivers so that you can participate in your care

To report any changes in your condition or care needs

To be considerate of other patients

To deal with staff courteously and understand that while they strive to provide the best care possible, staff are often required to prioritise      their time according to the needs of a variety of patients.