Admissions

What to expect

Your three-week inpatient program will be tailored to meet your needs. You can expect to cover and explore a range of psychoeducational topics. Your goals are planned together with our multidisciplinary teams, and you are provided the opportunity to discover skills relevant to your experiences and needs.

We have provided the below overview which explains what to expect throughout your stay with us.

When you first arrive, you will speak with an admission nurse who will ask you to complete and sign paperwork related to your stay. This will include your financial consent to cover the costs of your treatment.

Please ensure you check with your health insurance fund and doctor regarding your cover and any likely out-of-pocket expenses.  

Your treatment

During your stay, you will work with a range of health professionals including a psychiatrist, nurses, psychologists, social workers, physiotherapists and occupational therapists.

If you would like to see one of these specialists for one on one support, discuss the need for a referral with your treating psychiatrist. The aim of one to one therapy is to work closely with the specialists to establish a plan to develop individualised skills to support your recovery journey.

Your treatment will be offered as a mixture of group and individual programs and your length of stay will depend on your response to this treatment. 

What to bring

• Referral letter (if applicable)
• Private health insurance card
• Medicare card
• Department of Veterans’ Affairs card
• Pension card
• Pharmacy entitlement card
• Your general practitioners (GP’s) name and contact details
• Any current medication and prescriptions
• Everyday clothing and night attire including footwear
• Toiletries (no alcohol-base mouth wash)
• Razors (our nurses will collect razors on admission, however they may be used on a daily basis, and returned to the nurses on completion of daily use)
• Mobile phones and chargers (these will be inspected by our nurses)

What not to bring

• Furniture
• Candles
• Aromatherapy burners (candle or electric)
• Heat/cold or wheat packs
• Electric blankets
• Night lights, bedside lamps
• DVD players
• Computers/games consoles (other than a standard laptop)
• Hair dyes, spray tan or nail polish
• Laundry washing detergents or fabric softener
• Cleaning fluids, bleach
• Alcohol based mouth wash
• Glass bottles
• Spray air-fresheners, fly spray
• Glues, art paints, drills, pliers, knives or craft tools
• Drum sets, guitars
• Weights or exercise equipment
• Weapons of any type

Any of the above items (or those deemed to be inappropriate or dangerous) will be removed by the caregiver who found the item. You will be asked to notify a family member to pick up these belongings as soon as possible.

Mother and Baby Unit

If you are admitted to our Mother and Baby Unit, the following items are provided:

• breakfast, lunch and dinner (for adults)
• baby food
• bassinets, cots, high chairs, baby baths, change tables and mats
• adult and child bed linen
• bottle brush and nappy bags.

What you will need to bring to hospital:

• infant health record book (blue book)
• Medicare card and health insurance details
• sterilising unit and expressing equipment for feeding if required
• casual day clothing and appropriate footwear
• nightwear, dressing gown, slippers
• toiletries, tissues, hairdryer, personal needs (e.g. sanitary napkins/breast pads)
• current medications – both mother and baby
• baby clothes, bibs, wraps, skin care products, pacifier
• pram
• baby rocker
• bottles, formula, feeding cup and bowl, spoon
• disposable nappies and wipes
• favourite toys and blankets
• baby monitor.

Please do not bring valuable items into hospital

Fees and health insurance

Prior to being admitted, we will contact your health fund or third party insurer to confirm your level of cover and any additional out of pocket costs you may have. 

All out-of-pocket-expenses are discussed with you and/or close relative prior to admission and are payable on admission.

Belongings and valuables

Upon admission, you will be asked to give any medication and prescriptions to our nurses.

To ensure a safe environment for yourself, other patients and caregivers, we will search your belongings in your presence and may search your belongings at any time during your stay if we believe you have an item that may be a risk to yourself, our caregivers or other patients. 

Please limit the amount of personal property brought into the hospital and do not bring valuable items.

We do not take responsibility for your possessions in the event of a theft of property, loss of property or damage to any vehicle.

Identification

We will take your photograph when you are admitted, as required by the Health Department. This will act as identification for medication administration purposes.

All caregivers wear photo identification tags.

Medications

Upon admission, all medications and supplements should be handed to our nurses for safekeeping and dispensing.

Our nurses are responsible for administering all medications and supplements. We will only distribute medications prescribed by your doctor. 

Driving policy

When you are admitted to our hospital you will need to hand in keys to your vehicle and agree not to drive while an inpatient. This no driving policy is in line with our commitment to providing a safe environment to encourage your recovery.

Interpreter

Interpreters can be arranged as required.

Discharge

On the day you leave hospital, we ask that you leave your room by 10.00am.  

If you need to remain in the hospital after this time, please speak to your Nursing Unit Manager who will assist with storing your luggage temporarily.

Before you leave, please:

• check if you need to organise a follow-up appointment with your psychiatrist or need a referral to our Counselling and Therapy Centre for ongoing therapy
• complete your final questionnaires
• collect your medication.

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.