Preparing for surgery or general admission to Maitland Private Hospital

A member of our Admissions team will contact you between 12noon and 4pm on the working day before your admission. They will inform you of admission time, any special instructions and when you should stop eating and drinking (for surgery or procedure). If you have not been contacted by the hospital by 4.30pm, please contact us on 4933 8400.

Upon arrival at hospital please present to the main reception desk for admission.

If you are having surgery or a procedure:

• Please shower before your admission. You may wear cotton underwear.
  Please do NOT use any powder, deodorant, make-up, nail polish or jewellery.
• A dressing gown will be provided for you.
• You MUST NOT drive a vehicle for 24 hours following an anaesthetic. You will need to arrange for a friend or relative to drive you home following your procedure.
• You should ensure that a responsible adult is present with you for the 24 hours after surgery.

For your safety when walking, please bring comfortable, supportive footwear to hospital with you. Thongs and loose fitting footwear (including open back slippers) increase your possibility of trips and falls.

Should you have any further enquiries please do not hesitate to contact the Hospital on 4933 8400.

Your hospital booking

The booking for your hospital stay will be made through your Doctor's rooms.

Please ensure you complete the green forms in the Admission Booklet and return them to Maitland Private Hospital. Note: the Informed Consent section of the form must be completed in hard copy with your Doctor.

Where possible, we require your Admission Forms one week prior to your Admission date. This will ensure we can confirm your hospital booking and your eligibility prior to your Admission.

In some cases the Doctor will book you in for the next day. In these cases it is important that you contact us as soon as possible, and speak to the Administration Staff to confirm your admission and details relating to your stay.

Costs and Insurance Cover

The cost of your procedure will depend on your level of health insurance. Should you have any questions regarding the cost of your procedure or surgery, please contact the hospital and ask to speak with our pre-Admission Staff.

It is your responsibility to pay for any costs that you may incur.

Contact your insurer (health fund, Workers Compensation insurer or other) to confirm exactly what costs will be covered.

For further information, refer to the following sections:

• Fees and Accounts
• Veterans / DVA

Payment Methods

We accept cash, Mastercard, Visa or EFTPOS. Please note that all credit card transactions will incur a 1.5% surcharge.

What do I bring to hospital?

Please bring the following items with you to hospital, where applicable:

• All medications you are currently taking (in original packaging)
• Any letters from your doctor
• Relevant Xrays
• Medicare card
• Private health insurance membership card
• Pensioner card
• Veterans' affairs entitlement card
• Safety Net or pharmacy entitlement card
• Drivers licence or accepted identification
• WorkCover or other insurance details
• Blood Group card (if available)
• Dressing gown and slippers or comfortable shoes
• Glasses and physical aids (walking sticks, hearing aids)
• Personal entertainment device or a book to read

Please do not bring the following items:

• Jewellery
• Large sums of money
• Other valuables

The hospital doesn't accept responsibility for security of your possessions, including jewellery, watches and money. Any valuables brought into hospital can be signed into the hospital's security safe for the duration of your stay.

Please note that mobile phones must not be used in some areas of the hospital, as their signals can interfere with electronic medical equipment.

Fasting

Fasting details will be advised the day prior to your Admission by our day surgery staff or your Doctor.

It’s advisable to refrain from smoking a minimum of twelve hours prior to your surgery or procedure.

Cold or Illness

Please contact the hospital or your Doctor if you develop an illness prior to your surgery.

What to Expect

Many diagnostic procedures only require sedation in order to make you pleasantly drowsy, yet comfortable enough for the Doctor to perform the necessary procedure.

Usually a sedative drug is given via a needle inserted into the back of your hand. Many patients don’t recall this, and only become aware when they are back in the recovery unit.

After your operation or procedure, you’ll be made comfortable while your condition is monitored until you’ve fully recovered. Once you have recovered, you’ll be offered a light snack prior to discharge.

For more complex procedures, the length of stay will depend on your condition after your procedure.

Discharge

Before leaving the Ward or Day Surgery Unit, all patients are required to be formally discharged by our hospital Administration staff.

Please ensure you speak to staff at one of our Reception areas prior to leaving the hospital. Upon discharge, you’ll be given any necessary instructions, including a prescription for any medications and details of any follow up appointments with your Doctor.

A comfortable seating area is provided in the hospital foyer, for you to wait for your transport home.

Getting Home

If you’ve had heavy sedation or a general anaesthetic, you won’t be permitted to leave the Unit alone. Please note the following:

• You’ll need to arrange to be picked up and organise a responsible adult to be present with you for the first night you are home following general anaesthesia
• Staff will contact the person who is picking you up when you’re fit to go home
• Transportation home by taxi is not permitted without a responsible adult who accepts responsibility to take you home
• For your own comfort and safety, you shouldn’t take any alcoholic beverage for at least 24 hours after discharge
• After general anaesthetic, patients aren’t permitted to drive any motor vehicle, operate machinery or make any important decisions for at least 24 hours

Special arrangements can be made to assist DVA patients to get you home safely after your hospital stay.