When you come into hospital, there will be a number of people who will be caring for you. Meeting so many people can be confusing, but everyone will be working together to provide you with the best care.
You and your family can play an important part in making sure your stay in hospital is comfortable by asking questions and telling us how you are feeling about what is happening to you.
When you arrive your nurse will begin your stay by collecting some information from you and/or your family/carer in order to help plan the care you will need in hospital and later when you go home.
Some of the questions you will be asked are:
Do you live alone?
Do you have any help at home now?
Do you think you will need any extra help after your stay in hospital?
What different types of medication do you take?
You will also be given an estimate of when you will be ready to go home. This will help you and your family/carer to prepare for your return home.
What to bring with you
Clothing and toiletries: If you are staying overnight bring along some comfortable clothes/sleepwear and your toiletries. Shoes/slippers should be comfortable, closed at the toe and with firm gripping sole.
Luggage: For safety and storage reasons, we ask that you only bring essential items into hospital with you. Please limit your items to a small bag about the size of a school bag or to a maximum of 10kg.
Valuables: Please do not bring valuables or large amounts of money to the hospital. The hospital cannot take responsibility for the loss or damage to your money or property.
Medications: Please bring a list of all medicines you take and any recent changes that have been made. This includes all prescription medicines and any purchased in a pharmacy, supermarket or health food store.
These medicines will be reviewed by your treatment team and then given to us for safe keeping during your hospital stay.
Do not take any medicine from your own supply or from visitors while in hospital as this may interfere with your treatment. Please let us know if you have had any unexpected or allergic reactions to any medicine in the past.
Read tips from our Social Work department about how to prepare for your stay and help you feel safe and supported at home.
During your stay
Every hospital ward has a Nurse or Midwife in Charge who is there to answer any questions you or your family/carer may have. Make sure that you know how to contact them.
During your stay, regular meetings with you about your care will involve the doctors, nurses and allied health staff (physiotherapists, social workers, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, dieticians and pharmacists).
At these meetings you will be involved in discussing your treatment with us. Remember, you are an important member of the team, so don’t be afraid to speak up and ask questions.
Having Surgery?
There are a number of things to consider in the lead up to a surgical procedure. We have developed two guides to help you discuss your options with your doctor and to your prepare for the journey ahead.
These guides are: