Admissions

Specific information about your surgery or procedure is provided at a pre-admission appointment, by your doctor or in your admission letter. More information is also available within our services.

Your preparation

Your doctor will provide any special instructions you should follow before your surgery, particularly regarding fasting and medications. 

Please check with your doctor if you need any specific care, equipment or medications after your surgery or procedure. 

After having a general or local anaesthetic or sedation you should not drive a motor vehicle or operate any machinery for a minimum of 24 hours after your surgery or procedure. Therefore, you will need to organise for someone to take you home from hospital.

What to bring

• Your Medicare card and concession cards such as the Safety Net Card and Department of Veterans’ Affairs Card
• Your health fund details
• Name and address of your General Practitioner 
• Emergency contact details of your next of kin
• Any X-rays or scans related to your condition
• Any current medications you are taking, including natural remedies and supplements in their original packets
• A list of allergies to food, medications, latex, dyes and dressings
• Details of your employer and the date, time and place of accident if your surgery or procedure is covered by Workers’ Compensation or the Motor Vehicle Injury Trust
• Pyjamas or nightgowns, dressing gown and slippers (non-slip sole)
• Personal toiletries
• A small amount of money for items such as newspapers and magazines
• Bring your personal items in a small bag that can fit into the limited storage space provided in patient rooms.

What not to bring 

Please do not bring jewellery, valuables or excess cash to hospital. We do not accept responsibility for loss or damage of personal property.

What to expect when you are admitted

Before you come to hospital, your doctor will decide whether your surgery or procedure requires you to stay overnight or can be done as a day procedure. Most patients are admitted on the day of their planned surgery or procedure.

When you arrive at hospital, our caregivers will ensure all necessary admission requirements are complete. You will also be asked to confirm you have given written consent for the surgery or procedure.

You may need to wait in a patient lounge, on a bed in a pre-surgery area or in your room before having your surgery or procedure. We do everything possible to minimise your waiting times and keep you informed about any unforeseen delays.

Once admitted to hospital, you will be given a patient identification band to wear. Our caregivers will confirm your identification before providing a treatment or procedure, including giving medication. Please do not be alarmed, this process is designed to ensure your safety while in hospital.

After your surgery or procedure, nurses will monitor your recovery and perform regular observations such as blood pressure, oxygen levels and temperature.

If you are admitted to a ward to stay overnight you may receive care from a range of medical, nursing, allied health and administrative caregivers. 

Elective surgery wait times 

Elective surgery (non-emergency surgery) is prioritised based on the urgency of your condition. When we receive a medical referral for your elective surgery, your surgery will be assigned to one of the categories listed below, as clinically indicated by the treating clinician. The categories are based on Department of Health WA guidelines:

• Category one (urgent) – procedures performed within 30 days
• Category two (semi urgent) – procedures performed within 90 days
• Category three (non urgent) – procedures performed within 365 days

When your referral is accepted and processed by the hospital, we will send you a letter advising you of your surgery category.

As a principle for elective surgery, you are treated in accordance with your urgency category. Within each urgency category all patients are treated in the same order they are added to the waiting list, to ensure a consistent and fair approach.

Note: people who require emergency treatment are not placed on the elective surgery list.

For more information on elective surgery waiting times at public hospitals, please go to the Department of Health WA website. 

Telehealth

Telehealth offers the ability to access care from the home, work or other private space without the need for a face-to-face appointment.

St John of God Health Care uses both phone and video call to connect you to your healthcare providers.