Admission to hospital

If you are coming into hospital as an inpatient, you will have received a letter from us with your admission date. Your admissions letter will explain where you need to go.

This letter contains the information you need to prepare for your visit to hospital. Please read this letter and follow the instructions. If you have any questions, please call the number in your letter.

Changing your admission date

If you need to change your admission date, please let us know as soon as possible. We will try to arrange a suitable time for you.

Rescheduling your admission

Occasionally we need to reschedule patients planned admissions. We try very hard to avoid this. If this does happen, we will contact you as soon as possible to re-book your treatment.  

On the morning of your treatment, we ask that you attend the hospital as outlined in your admission letter.

You will be signed into the hospital as a patients and your admission will be processed by our nursing staff.

You will be given an identification wristband with your name, date of birth and hospital number on it. This should be worn at all times. You will be asked a series of questions to enable us to plan your care. Please take this opportunity to tell us about:

• Medications you have been taking at home
• Any allergies you may have
• Dietary requirements or any special needs
• If you are pregnant or may be pregnant
• Your nominated next of kin to receive relevant information

The admission process can take between 10 minutes to half an hour. You may have a waiting period between your admission and going to the operating theater or ward.

If you have special requirements that the hospital needs to know about before you are admitted, please let us know. These may include:

• Mobility requirements
• Disability needs
• Spiritual Care
• Dietary needs
• Interpreter Services

Before any doctor, nurse or therapist examines or treats you, they must seek your consent or permission. If you are having an operation or procedure, you will be asked to sign a consent form either at your pre-op appointment or once you have been admitted to a ward or department. Our staff will provide you with all the information about the treatment or investigation.  Please ask any questions or raise any concerns you may have.

If you develop a cough, cold, have an upset stomach or a temperature, please call the admissions number on your letter to discuss.

You will need to bring the following items:

• Your medicare card, licence or other identification card or papers
• Your admission letter
• Any medications (including epipen if you have one), inhalers and mobility devices
• Contact information for your next of kin and any care agencies who support you at home
• The name and address of your GP
• Money for the cafeteria or other hospital services
• Items for showering, such as body wash, shampoo and conditioner
• Toiletries, tissues
• Dressing gown, night clothes and slippers
• Comfortable clothing and shoes

Valuables

Please do not bring valuables, jewelry or large sums of money. The hospital cannot be held liable for your belongings.

Many healthcare professionals may be involved in your care and you will see many different people on our wards.

Consultants and Doctors

A consultant will oversee your treatment and is responsible for your medical care whilst in hospital. The consultant leads a team of doctors to support your care.

Nursing Teams

Experienced ward nurses or nurse unit managers are responsible for running the wards. A team of nurses will care for you whilst in hospital; however one nurse will have responsibility for planning and coordinating your care.

Health professionals

Other healthcare professionals, such as pharmacists, physiotherapists, social workers and occupational therapists, may also be involved in your care. This group is often referred to as the Allied Health team.

Teaching and research

Grampians Health Ballarat is a teaching hospital which means some procedures may be carried out by student doctors, nurses and midwives, and allied health students. Students are closely supervised during their placement. They will ask your permission before being involved in your care. If at any time you don’t want a student to be part of your care, please tell your treating team.

Clinical support staff

Your care is supported by a team of service assistants, cleaners, and food service assistants. This team is not directly involved in your clinical care but play an essential part in your stay in hospital.

The hospital has a zero tolerance policy to aggression, violence and verbal abuse. Security officers are on site and will be called if needed. Police will be called to incidents where staff or other patients have felt threatened or been abused.