Things to know about your stay

We will take good care of you when you stay in one of our hospitals and do our best to make you feel comfortable. The following information will help you understand what your stay will be like and plan your stay.

Download a brochure to help you keep safe during your stay in hospital

Checking in at the hospital

When you first arrive at hospital, you will need to check-in.

• When you arrive at the hospital, please go directly to the reception area in the foyer of the hospital. They will tell you where to go.
• If you are having a baby, please go directly to the maternity ward.
• If it’s an emergency, please go straight to the emergency department.

What happens when you check-in

When you check-in, we will ask you to provide us information. You can prepare most of this before your visit.

Personal information

• Your admission advice and completed admission form.
• Your address and phone number
• Details of your doctor and other health professionals that you see.
• Name and contact number for your next of kin. This is the person to call in case of an emergency.
• Your Medicare card or number, Pension card and Healthcare card
• Your Repatriation File Number if you are eligible for repatriation treatment
• Your WorkCover detail (if appropriate).
• Your private health insurance details if you have it including your Health Insurance Book
• Let us know if you’d like an interpreter to help you.
• Let us know if you would like an Indigenous health worker to help you.

Health information

• Your medical history and condition.
• Information about any allergies you may have to medication or foods. Please tell nursing staff as soon as possible so they can issue you with a special identification band and place alerts in your medical record.
• All current medications in their original containers.
• A list of any recent medications that you have taken.
• Any medications, vitamins, herbs or supplements not prescribed by your doctor. You may have purchased these from a pharmacy, naturopath, health food shop or via the internet.
• Dentures – please ask nursing staff for a container to store them in so they do not get lost or damaged. This container will be labelled for you.
• Any medical aids. Please tell nursing staff if you wear a hearing aid.
• Any x-rays or treatment information from other health professionals.
• Any current advance health directive you have made. This is a legal document you may have made to tell us your health care wishes.
• Any enduring power of attorney. This is a legal document you may have made to appoint someone like a trusted family member or friend to make health care decisions on your behalf.

Patient identification band

We will then issue you a patient identification band to wear on your wrist or ankle.

• Please check the information is correct.
• Please wear this band all times until you leave the hospital.
• It quickly gives all staff important information about your medications, treatments and procedures.

Personal belongings

• You’ll have a bedside locker next to your bed. You can store your personal items here.
• Please don’t bring any valuable items with you to hospital.
• We’re not responsible for any lost or damaged items that belong to you, your family or any visitors.

What you can eat in hospital

• You will be provided with a choice of meals and a variety of menu plans.
• Menus are generally delivered with breakfast and collected between 9:30am to 12:00 noon.
• You may be prescribed a special diet by your doctor as part of your treatment.
• If you are normally on a special diet at home or have a specific food allergy, please tell the nursing staff. We can arrange a dietician to speak with you.
• If you’re having an operation, you may not be able to eat or drink for several hours. This is called fasting. This means all foods and fluids, including chewing gum, lollies, and water.
• Your ward staff will tell you how long you need to fast before your operation. This is for your safety. Make sure you tell us if you haven’t followed this instruction.
• If you need your food prepared in a special way due to your religion or personal preferences, please let our staff know.
• Food you are able to bring from home and places to eat will vary depending on the hospital. You can find out more on our hospital pages, or by contacting the hospital you are visiting.

Medications in the hospital

While you are in hospital you may be given some medications as part of your treatment. Speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist about your medications. They’re happy to answer your questions.

You could ask:

• what is the medication supposed to do?
• how do I take it?
• how long do I keep taking it?
• should I avoid certain food, drinks or other medications?
• what if I miss a dose?
• are there any side effects and what should I do if they occur?
• how do I store this medication?

Medications that you are currently taking             

• Please bring any medications and supplements that you take, or have taken recently, with you to hospital. This will assist the medical staff in your care.
• This includes anything that you may have purchased from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food store.
• Please also bring any eye drops, puffers, patches or creams/ointments that you are using. These medications will be checked by hospital staff and stored safely until you are ready to leave.
• Do not take your own medications while you are an inpatient, unless you are specifically told to by your nurse, pharmacist or doctor. The hospital provides most of the medications you will require.

Smoking, alcohol and drugs

• You are not allowed to bring cigarettes, tobacco, alcohol or illicit drugs to the hospital.
• Illicit drugs are those are illegal to possess or use or legal drug used in a way that is against the law.
• Smoking, drinking of alcohol and taking illicit drugs is not allowed in any of our hospitals.
• You can’t smoke, drink alcohol or take illicit drugs on the premises or the grounds.
• These rules also apply to your visitors and all staff, other patients, contractors and other people who enter our buildings, grounds or vehicles.

Television, internet, mobile devices and computers

• Overhead televisions are available for hire in our hospitals. Please enquire about details when you arrive to be admitted.
• Please do not bring your own electrical appliances, including televisions.
• Free Wi-Fi is available for patients and visitors on most Wi-Fi enabled devices at Tasmania’s four major hospitals – North-West Regional Hospital, Mersey Community Hospital, Launceston General Hospital and Royal Hobart Hospital.