For Patients: General Information for Inpatients

General Information for Inpatients

Your room

The call bell

Your room’s call bell system allows you to contact nursing staff 24 hours a day. One button is located on the white handset by your bed, which your nurse will place within your reach. A second button is located on the bathroom wall. Please don’t hesitate to call staff to help you in any way.

Television & radio

Your room’s in-house entertainment includes free-to-air television, Foxtel and FM radio. The system is remote-controlled and located on your white handset. The speakers are located in the handset. An up-to-date entertainment guide is available from ward reception.

Bed adjustment

Your bed is adjustable and can be repositioned using the up/down arrows located on the black handset.

In some cases, the bed’s position is set by the nursing staff to facilitate your recovery. If you feel uncomfortable, please press the call bell and staff will assist you.

Telephone

• Local Calls: Dial 0 to access an outside line. Local calls to land lines are free.
• STD Calls: Calls to STD, international or mobile telephone numbers require a phone card. Phone cards are available from Front Reception on the ground floor in denominations of $5.00, $10.00 or $20.00. Please ask if you need help to obtain a card.

Your direct telephone number to give to family & friends

You may receive calls directly. Your number is 8425 3_ _ _ . The last three digits are your room number.

For example, if your room number is 214, your direct dial phone number for incoming calls is 8425 3214.

Meal service

A menu selection brochure is provided each morning on your breakfast tray for the following day. The majority of meals have been created to meet the specific needs of patients in a healthcare environment, and are therefore lower in fat and salt content. Menus with a heart symbol indicate a healthier choice and are suitable for patients on a diabetic, low fat, low salt or restricted diet as ordered by the dietician or your doctor.

If you have special dietary needs please make a note on the menu and NSPH’s Diet Aides will confirm the item’s availability. Alternatively you are welcome to contact the Diet staff before ordering your meals. The Diet Staff can be contacted on extension 3164. Kitchen facilities/microwave/fridge are available on each ward.

Visitors may dine with you at meal time by ordering a meal at the Front Reception Desk, extension 3096.
There is a cost for visitor meals. Orders for lunch must be made before 10.30am, and dinner before 3.30pm.

Meal Service Times
Breakfast	7:00am - 7:45am	Afternoon Tea	2:30pm - 3:30pm
Morning Tea	10:00am - 10:45am	Dinner	5:00pm - 5:45pm
Lunch	12:00pm - 12:45pm	Supper	7:15pm - 8:00pm

Patient services & facilities

Mail & ATM

All correspondence is delivered to and collected from the ward daily. A post office and ATM is available on the Ground Level of the Royal North Shore Hospital across the road.

Internet access

Patients can rent a wireless internet access kit to use with their own laptops through an independent provider. Our provider will courier ordered kits to you in hospital and pick them up at the end of your rental period. If you wish to contact our provider for delivery details and NSPH’s preferential pricing, please call the front reception on ext. 3000.

Emails from family & friends

Friends and relatives are welcome to send you an email during your stay in hospital by logging on to our website www.northshoreprivate.com.au. Messages are printed and delivered daily.

Faxes

Faxes can be sent or received on your behalf. Please ask the ward staff for assistance.

Newspapers

A wide selection of newspapers can be delivered to your room.

Interpreter services

The Translating and Interpreter Service (TIS) is available 24 hours a day and provides a free interpreting service for doctors and specialists. If you would like an interpreter at any stage of your hospitalisation, please speak with your doctor or nurse. NSPH is happy to assist with these arrangements.

Please be aware, there are a small number of exceptions to the provision of free services. Compensation case patients, non-permanent residents and services not booked under the doctor are not eligible for free services. In these cases, charges apply.

Physiotherapy & massage therapy

Ramsay Professional Services located on Level 4, provides physiotherapy and massage therapy to patients. Massages are available in your room and enquiries or bookings can be made on extension 3466 (if dialling from an external line the number is 8425 3466).

Pharmacy

The Pharmacy is located on the ground floor of the hospital. In addition to pharmaceuticals, you’ll find many personal items and small gifts, magazines and chocolates. The Pharmacy operates between 9:00am and 5:30pm weekdays. Please note some prescriptions maybe difficult to obtain through other pharmacies. The telephone extension for the Pharmacy is 3154.

Florist

The Flower Factory is located on the ground floor next to the lifts, open from 8:00am to 8:00pm weekdays, and 9:00 am to 6:00pm weekends. To contact The Flower Factory from inside the hospital, dial extension 3156. To call direct from outside the hospital, the phone number is (02) 9437 1455. Please look at their website for more information: www.florist.com.au

Ritazza coffee shop

Ritazza is located on the ground floor next to the hospital’s reception. Opening hours are: 7.00am to 8.00pm weekdays, 8.00am to 5.00pm Saturdays and 9.00am to 5.00pm on Sundays.

If you’d like to place an order from the comfort of your room, please dial extension 3151. Your selection will be delivered to you or your visitors between the hours of 8:00am and 4:00pm weekdays. Please check with nursing staff if you have a restricted or special diet.

Taxi service

A free call taxi phone is located on the ground floor opposite the pharmacy.

HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Your room will be cleaned daily. Please notify a member of the nursing staff if you have concerns about any aspect of the Housekeeping Service.

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

A Veterans Affairs Liaison Coordinator is available. Please ask the ward staff to arrange a visit.

Important information for all patients

Medications

You are requested to bring all current medications with you. These will be locked in your bedside cabinet and made available for use during your stay with us. For your safety, please inform nursing staff about any medication you are currently taking. This includes any herbal medications.

Staff identification

All staff wear name badges as a means of identification and internal security. The badge shows the staff member’s name and position.

Our staff wear different uniforms depending on their designation and role within the hospital. You can see photos of the staff and corresponding uniforms on the NSPH Information Channel.

Valuables

We strongly recommend that you do not bring any valuables to hospital. NSPH does not accept responsibility for patient’s valuables.

Mobile phones

Signals from mobile phones may interfere with the safe operation of electronic medical equipment. Please switch off your mobile phone on admission and ask your nurse if mobiles can be used in your room.

Electrical safety

All electrical equipment, including laptop computers, electric shavers, hair dryers, radio/stereos and clocks, has the potential to affect our electrical network. Please consult with ward staff to have your electrical items checked before use in the hospital.

Smoke-free environment

NSPH’s building and grounds are smoke-free. There is a designated smoking area in the NSPH garden next to Reserve Road. Please notify nursing staff if you leave the ward for any non-medical reason.

Security

Cameras are positioned in common areas within the hospital. NSPH provides a 24 hour Security Officer.

AIR CONDITIONING

Air conditioning is centrally controlled. If you find that the air-conditioning system does not meet your requirements, please contact the nurse for assistance to notify the Engineering Department.

Preparing to leave hospital

The expected discharge time is 9:30am. Please arrange your transport home by 9:30am.

Important information on discharge day

Before you leave hospital, please make sure you have the following:

• a discharge letter
• all personal belongings
• all current medications
• made any necessary follow-up appointments
• all personal x-rays
• completed the Customer Comment Card

On your way out, please see the receptionist at the Front Reception, ground floor foyer. You may pay your Pharmacy bill on discharge or the Pharmacy will forward your account by mail.

Discharge planning services

NSPH has a team of staff to help you with discharge. The Discharge Coordinator can assist you plan for your discharge and if required rehabilitation at another facility. Ramsay Health Care has three hospitals close to NSPH that provide rehabilitation care after your surgery.

• Castlecrag Private Hospital - 150 Edinburgh Rd, Castlecrag - Ph: 9935 0200
• Hunters Hill Private Hospital - 9 Mount St, Hunters Hill - Ph: 8876 9301
• Mt Wilga Private Hospital - 2 Manor Rd, Hornsby - Ph: 9847 5000

Transport arrangements

If you are going to a rehabilitation facility, the ward will provide you with a Discharge Information Card to give your relative or friend. The card lists the name of your rehabilitation facility and your transfer date plus contact details of the Discharge Coordinator and Nursing Unit Manager.

Social worker

North Shore Private Hospital provides holistic health care embracing your physical and emotional health needs. Our social worker can assist you with your discharge from hospital and offer practical and emotional support for you and your family. This service is complimentary and strictly confidential. To contact our social worker, your nursing staff can arrange an appointment.

Post-discharge care

If you have any concerns about your progress when you return home, please contact your GP or referring specialist.

After hours, please contact your nearest hospital emergency department.