Admission to hospital

If you are coming into Timboon and District Healthcare Service as an inpatient, you will have received a letter from us with your admission date. Your admission letter will explain where you need to go.

This letter contains the information you need to prepare for your visit to hospital. Please read this letter and follow the instructions. If you have any questions, please call the number in your letter.

If you need to change your admission date, please let us know as soon as possible. We will try to arrange a suitable time for you.

Occasionally we need to reschedule patients planned admissions. We try very hard to avoid this. If this does happen, we will contact you as soon as possible to re-book your treatment.

On the morning of your treatment, we ask that you attend the healthcare service as outlined in your admission letter.

You will be signed in as a patient and your admission will be processed by our staff.

You will be given an identification wristband with your name, date of birth and hospital number on it. This should be worn at all times. You will be asked a series of questions to enable us to plan your care. Please take this opportunity to tell us about i.e.:

• Medications you have been taking at home
• Any allergies you may have
• Dietary requirements or any special needs
• If you are pregnant or may be pregnant
• Your nominated next of kin to receive relevant information

The admission process can take between 10 minutes to half an hour. You may have a waiting period between your admission and going to the operating theater or ward.

If you have special requirements that the hospital needs to know about before you are admitted, please let us know. These may include:

• Mobility requirements
• Disability needs
• Spiritual Care
• Dietary needs
• Interpreter Services

Before any doctor, nurse or therapist examines or treats you, they must seek your consent or permission. If you are having an operation or procedure, you will be asked to sign a consent form either at your pre-op appointment or once you have been admitted to a ward or department. Our staff will provide you with all the information about the treatment or investigation.  Please ask any questions or raise any concerns you may have.

If you are unwell on the day before coming to hospital, please call us on 5558 6000 to discuss.

You will need to bring the following items:

• Your medicare card, licence or other identification card or papers
• Your admission letter
• Any medications (including epipen if you have one), inhalers and mobility devices
• Contact information for your next of kin and any care agencies who support you at home
• The name and address of your GP
• Items for showering, such as body wash, shampoo and conditioner (if you’re staying for multiple days)
• Toiletries, tissues
• Dressing gown, night clothes and slippers (if you’re staying for multiple days)
• Comfortable clothing and shoes