Preparing for Admission

At your initial consultation, your specialist will thoroughly explain the procedure you are undergoing and answer any questions you may have. At this appointment, your specialist will also go through and complete the procedure consent with you.

Your specialist may also give you either a copy of the Admission form in paper, or a flyer with instructions on how to access to our Patient Portal so you can complete the online admission form.

You will need to complete a pre-admission form, either online on our patient portal or via a paper copy, which you can post, or fax to the hospital. The form will need to be completed and returned 5 days prior to your admission in order for us to confirm your admission, health insurance and make necessary arrangements so that we are ready for your arrival.

Complete online admission form

You are required to let us know if your current weight is over 130kg, prior to your admission, as a pre-admission assessment by the anaesthetist will be organised.

Confirm the level of hospital admission cover you are entitled to with your health insurance provider, prior to admission. Some of the key questions you may consider asking are:

• Am I fully covered for admission?
• Do I have an excess or any co-payments associated with my policy that I need to pay?
• Have I served all waiting periods?
• Are all my premium payments up to date?
• Does my policy have any restrictions or minimum benefits that may apply to my planned procedure?

Important: if you have recently changed your health insurer or level of cover, be sure to confirm that the new change covers your admission and procedure.

After undergoing a surgical procedure, for your safety, you must have a responsible adult accompany you home and stay with you overnight.

If you cannot organise for the above, please contact us at least 2 days prior to your admission to discuss and arrange an alternative discharge plan. Our admissions staff can put you in touch with a nursing agency that can arrange for someone to act as your escort.

Please note: this will incur a charge, which you must pay directly to the agency.

IMPORTANT: if you do not have a responsible adult as an escort and overnight carer, it may lead to a cancellation of the procedure.

It is extremely important that you thoroughly understand the treatment process and are able to provide informed consent regarding your treatment. If English is not your first language and/or is limited we recommend you use an interpreter at your specialist appointments.

To organise an interpreter, please let our staff know at the time of your booking and specify the language required. Alternatively, you may call the NSW healthcare service free on 131 450. The service is free but it must be arranged before your admission day.

If you have any questions regarding any of the above, please feel free to contact our team. We will be more than happy to answer your questions and assist you in any way we can.

One or two days prior to admission, admissions staff will contact you via SMS or phone you (if you have not given a mobile number) to confirm:

• The time of your admission
• Information on any fasting/dietary requirements such as:
  – Fasting: food. Unless specified otherwise by your specialist, do not eat anything for 6 hours prior to admission.
  – Fasting: drinks. You may drink water up to 2 hours before your admission time.
  – Brushing your teeth. You may brush your teeth but avoid swallowing any fluid.
  – Alcohol. You must not consume any alcohol on the day of or the night before your admission.
  – Smoking, chewing gums and recreational drugs. You must not smoke cigarettes, take recreational drugs or chew gum for 12 hours prior to your admission. Smoking is not permitted at the Day Hospital.
• Any hospital fees that you are required to pay upon your admission (remember that your surgeon, anaesthetist and pathologist will invoice their fees directly to you.)