On arrival

Complete the admission form – fill it in and return it by the date at the top of the form.

If you are entering hospital for an operation, we might ask you to attend a pre-admission clinic. This visit assesses your current health and includes some routine tests.

Please go to reception at the front entrance to the hospital at the time specified. Our Admission Clerk will help you complete your paperwork and tell you where to go.

If you are arriving on a Sunday and have attended the pre-admission clinic, please arrive before 3.30pm (unless otherwise requested).

If these times don’t suit your needs, please ring and discuss this with the Admission Clerk.

There are maps in the main reception areas, and service directories beside the lifts.

Please ask the receptionists or another member of staff if you need directions.

When you arrive on the ward, the ward clerk or nurse will meet you. At the start of each shift, the nurses assigned to look after you will introduce themselves to you.

You will generally remain on one ward for the time of your hospital stay but may be transferred to a different room.

• All staff will introduce themselves and explain what they do
• All staff wear identity badges.
• You will always have a nurse assigned to you. If you need help at any time use the call button at your bedside or in the toilets and showers.
• Doctors may include:
  • House Surgeon: Qualified doctor who has not begun specialist training
  • Registrar: Experienced doctor training in a specialty
  • Specialist Consultant: Senior doctor or surgeon who is a specialist in their field.
• You may meet other staff during your stay. These can include: physiotherapists, pharmacists, occupational therapists, dieticians, social workers, laboratory staff, midwifes, orderlies, and administration staff. You can ask to see any of any of these people.

If you have surgery planned, your specialist may require you to attend the Central Pre-Admission Clinic at the hospital. This clinic will give you an up-to-date medical check to help with your care before and after surgery. It is important to bring any medications you are currently taking to this clinic.

During the pre-admission you may see the following doctors:

• Anaesthetist: The doctor responsible for putting you to sleep for your operation
• Registrar: An experienced doctor training to become a specialist
• And sometimes your specialist

As part of the pre-admission check you may have to visit other parts of the hospital for further tests. These tests are done to ensure you are as well as possible and help plan for your surgery.

These tests may include:

• Blood tests
• Chest x-ray
• Urine tests
• ECG (heart test)

Arriving unexpectedly

If you arrive in an ambulance or have an emergency, you will enter through the Emergency Department.

If you have an accident, or if you belong to St John your ambulance ride will be free. If you have called an ambulance and do not belong to the organisation, St John will likely send you a bill for your transport.

Waiting times at the Emergency Department

The triage nurse (a senior registered nurse) will check you to see how urgently you need a doctor.

You may have to wait to be seen if there are other people with more urgent needs. Nurses will observe you while you wait to make sure you are safe and answer any questions until you can be seen.