Watch our welcome video and find out what to expect when staying in hospital.
This video is also available in Auslan (Australian Sign Language) and with subtitles in languages other than English.
You may need to attend a pre-admission clinic up to 6 weeks before your operation.
If you're having day surgery you'll need to arrange someone to take you home. You can't travel alone on public transport, or in a taxi, if you've had an anaesthetic. Tell the person who will be taking you home that we'll call them when you're ready to leave. Please let us know if you don't have anyone to take you home after your surgery.
Check with your surgeon or anaesthetist if you're using warfarin, aspirin or any other blood thinning medicines. You may need to stop using these medicines.
Please stop taking any other herbal, Chinese or non-prescription medicines 2 weeks before your operation.
Please tell us if you or your family member have any care needs, such as:
Both overnight and day surgery patients need to bring:
You are welcome to bring things to do while you wait, such as a book, magazine or knitting and a comfort item to help you stay calm.
If you're staying overnight, please also bring:
Please don't bring valuables or large amounts of money with you to hospital. If they go missing, we won't accept responsibility for them.
We may ask you to update your medical history when we admit you. Knowing your history helps us keep you, our staff and other patients safe.
You should tell us about any surgery or infections you've had. This includes childhood illnesses such as chicken pox, measles, mumps and rubella.
Tell your nurse if you've been overseas in the past 3 weeks. Also tell them if you've had or have a cough or cold, diarrhoea or vomiting, open wounds or weeping skin sores.
Tell your nurse if you have had a recent fall. Knowing this helps us plan your care and keep you safe.
We'll put an identification (ID) band on your wrist or ankle when you're in hospital. We use ID bands to make sure you get the right medicine, treatments and procedures.
You'll need to make sure your details are correct and wear your ID band until you leave.
Please bring your own medicines with you. You can bring vitamins, herbal supplements or prescriptions from your GP.
When you're in hospital, our pharmacist will review your medicines and make sure you're taking the right ones. They'll also give you any others you may need during your stay.
If we give you new medication while you're in hospital, we'll give you information about the medication and how to take it.
Keep any medicine that you bring with you in a locked bedside drawer while you're in hospital.
Read more about how our pharmacy staff can help you and where to find our pharmacies.
If you have a Medicare card, you won't pay for any medicines you have while you're in hospital.
You might have to pay for medicines you get when you're discharged. Under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme you may only have to pay for part of the cost of the medicine. You can also use your concession or Health Care Card to get cheaper medicines.
Read more about the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme on the Department of Health and Aged Care website.
Tell us if you're allergic to any medicines. This includes if you've had any reactions to medicines, food or latex, and how severe your reaction was.
Some people get blood clots while they're in hospital or after surgery.
Your doctor or nurse will assess your risk for developing blood clots, and may give you anti-clotting medicine, compression stockings or pumps that go around your calf or on your feet.
For more information:
You can usually choose what you get for breakfast, lunch and dinner each day on a menu card. We'll also offer you morning and afternoon tea and supper.
Let us know if you have a food allergy, specific dietary requirements, need to speak to a dietitian, or need help to eat.
If your doctor wants you to have a special diet for your condition they'll discuss this with you.
You may not be able to eat or drink for a few hours before your operation. A nurse will speak with talk to you about this in your pre-admission appointment.
If you have your own food or visitors bring you food, please ask your nurse to check it. Some food may interfere with your treatment. You must keep all food in airtight containers.
Smoking isn't allowed in any of our hospitals and health centres.
You can't smoke on the premises, the grounds, or within 5 metres of their boundaries. This rule applies to all staff, patients, visitors, contractors and other people who enter our buildings, grounds or vehicles.
If you smoke, talk to your nurse about getting nicotine gum or patches during your stay.
Read more about quitting smoking on the Quit HQ website or call 13 78 48 to talk to a Quitline counsellor.
You can't use alcohol or illicit drugs at any of our hospitals or health centres. Don't bring them to hospital and ask your visitors not to bring them to the hospital.