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Medical Patients
Depending on the severity of your illness, your local GP or Specialist may admit you to the Hospital directly from the surgery or your home at any time during the day or night. Or your admission may be planned for specific treatment.
Surgical Patients
Your treating specialist or local GP will explain to you the operation or procedure he or she is recommending. If you require surgery your doctor will ask you to complete and sign a consent form. If you have any questions or concerns, please raise these with your doctor. All patients having surgery at SDMH are required to attend the Pre-Admission Clinic
Your Surgeon's rooms will have advised you of the date of your procedure. You should ring the Hospital AFTER 1.00pm the day before to find out your admission time. If you are prevented from doing so, please let the Hospital and your Surgeon's rooms know as soon as possible.
What to expect on arrival at the Hospital:
You will be greeted by the receptionist and directed or escorted to the Ward or Day Procedure Unit.
The admitting nurse will introduce themself to you and explain what you should expect and the proposed plans for your care. You will also be given information about your room, including: layout of your room, call bell, bathroom, television and telephone, operation of electric beds etc
For your own safety, it is very important that you tell us about all the medications you are taking, including medications and supplements purchased from health food shops, supermarkets or over the counter. Some these products may not be safe for you to take at the time – for example, some herbal products increase bleeding and some eye drops may affect your heart or breathing. While in hospital, please do not take any medicines without consulting your doctor or nursing staff first.
Identification
All patients are required to wear a patient bracelet specifying their name, Doctor, etc. Please leave your identification bracelet in place during your stay in hospital.
What to bring for your overnight or extended stay in to hospital
- Current medications in the packaging as given to you by the Pharmacist. Any current prescribed drugs, which are not brought in at the time of admission can be supplied by the hospital but this will be at additional cost to you.
- Razor
- Hairdryer
- Health benefits cards and pension numbers
- Private health insurance fund details
- Medicare card
- Work Cover/TAC/Veterans Affairs full details
- X-rays and doctor's letters
- Small amount of money for newspapers, magazines, vending machines (snacks and drinks) and purchase of telephone cards
- Personal toiletries, tissues and sanitary needs
- Physical aids eg. hearing aids, walking frame, walking stick, crutches
- Phone numbers of your family/friends
- Sleepwear, dressing gown, slippers
- Watch or clock
- Writing materials
Note: If you are having orthopaedic surgery and require crutches during your recovery time, you can either bring your own or hire from the Hospital. There is a $50 deposit payable, $40 of which is refunded upon return of the crutches.
What not to bring
- Electric blankets
- Food
- Hot water bottles
- Wheat bags
- Mobile phones
- Pets
- Valuables, including jewellery
- Your own television
- Valuables (please do not bring valuables to the hospital, as we cannot take responsibility for these items).
Meals and meal times
Meals are prepared in the hospital and are designed to provide balanced nutrition. Menus are provided on your breakfast tray each morning. Please fill out and a member of the Food Services team will collect it.
Your doctor may prescribe a special diet. In such cases, we will provide suitable meals.
Approximate meal times (may vary slightly) are:
- Breakfast 7.30am
- Morning Tea 10.00am
- Lunch 12.15pm
- Afternoon Tea 2.45pm
- Dinner 5.45pm
Religious Services
Visiting clergy are available to see patients at the patient's request. Patients should ask their nurse or the Ward Clerk to contact their priest, minister or other clergy to arrange a visit.
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