About Your Stay in Hospital

Waiting Time for Your Surgery

You may be admitted day of or day prior to surgery.

We endeavour to minimise the time between your admission and transfer to the Operating Theatre.

At times, the wait may be longer than expected due to unforeseen circumstances. Please speak to your nurse for information if you are anxious about the waiting time.

Valuables

You are reminded that the hospital is not liable for any lost valuables. We advise against bringing any valuable items or cash to the hospital. If you have brought such items in and are unable to send them home, a safe is provided to ensure their security.

Please let nursing staff know if you require any item to be locked in the safe.

Nurse Call Bell System

A nurse call bell is located at your bed and on the wall of the shower and toilet. To call for nursing staff, please press this button, nurses will answer your call as promptly as possible.

Visitors

We encourage you to have the support of family and visitors. We trust that you will respect other patients by restricting the number of visitors you have at any one time and ask that they leave promptly at the conclusion of visiting hours

Television

Televisions are located above each bed (except in the Day Procedure Unit and High Dependency Unit) and are controlled by the handset. For the comfort of all patients, Please consider others when setting the volume.

Available channels are ABC, PRIME, WIN, Ten, SBS, free to Air Digital Channels and Austar (a guide is available on request).

Interpreter Service

If the service of an interpreter is required, contact the Hospital prior to admission so that the necessary arrangements can be made. There may be a cost associated with the service.

Internet Access

Broad Band internet access is available for a nominal fee if required (using your own lap top)

Catering

Your meals will be served at the following approximate times -

If you require a hot drink with your meals, please request this. Tea and coffee making facilities are also available in each ward.

Special dietary needs are catered for and our Dietician is available for consultation if required. Please inform nursing or catering staff if you have special dietary needs.

Day Surgery patients will be provided with a beverage and light meal before discharge.

Flowers and Mail

Flowers and mail are delivered directly to your room. If you have mail to post, please ask the nursing staff to take to reception and this will be arranged for you. Mail can also be received via email. If you require this facility please use the following address: spp@ramsayhealth.com.au

Newspaper

A Herald Sun newspaper is supplied daily. An alternative paper may be ordered if you desire. Please ask the nurses or catering staff to arrange this.

Telephones

Bedside phone
In the General Ward areas, a personal telephone is located at your bedside for both incoming and outgoing calls. For local calls, dial ‘0’, then dial the number.

Your family and friends may contact you directly by calling the number on your telephone handset. The telephone may also be turned off should you not wish to receive calls. Please ask nursing staff to do this for you.

A phone card may be purchased at Reception to enable you to make STD calls and to call mobile phones.

For Day Procedure patients, a telephone is located in the Day Procedure Unit for relatives to contact you.

Mobile phone
When you are admitted, please ask staff if mobiles can be used in your room. Mobile phones may interfere with medical equipment’, therefore usage of mobile phones is discouraged.

If a mobile phone is used please ensure it is on silent or vibrate and consider others. Do not use Mobile Phones in shared rooms or passageways. Mobiles may be used in all public areas including the coffee shop. Please ensure your visitors are aware of and adhere to this mobile phone etiquette.

Shepparton Private Hospital does not accept any responsibility for loss or damage to your mobile phone.

Laundry

We do not have an on-site laundry, so please send any laundry you have home with relatives or friends.

Smoking

You must have your doctor’s permission to smoke while you are an inpatient at Shepparton Private Hospital.

You must be accompanied by another person (relative / friend) if you wish to smoke in the designated smoking area external to the main building. Please discuss your intention to smoke with nursing staff prior to doing so.

Smoking is not permitted in the hospital building and nursing staff are not able to accompany patients to the designated smoking area.

Clergy / Pastoral Care

Clergy of all denominations are welcome to visit the hospital.

If you have signed the Privacy Consent section of your Registration Form, the Front Office will inform the relevant pastor, chaplain or local veteran community of your admission and that you are happy to receive a visit from them.

Before You Leave the Hospital

Ensure you have Collected

• Current medications and / or prescriptions
• Medication Profile (medication list) if applicable
• Discharge Plan which will be discussed with you by nursing staff
• X-rays / scans
• Personal belongings

Complete the ‘Your Impression’ patient feedback card (in front of the Compendium).

Discharge Time

Discharge time for inpatients is before 10:00 a.m. We ask that you adhere to this time.

Day patients will be discharged when they have recovered from their procedure.

If you have had a general anaesthetic or sedation within the past 24 hours, you will need to be accompanied home by a responsible adult.

You should not drive a car, operate machinery or domestic appliances, conduct important business or drink alcohol for at least 24 hours following your anaesthetic.

If your transport is delayed, you may be asked to wait in the lounge area until you are picked up.

Back to Your Stay at Shepparton Private Hospital