Gove District Hospital is a public hospital. No patient will be refused admission to a "public hospital" if their medical condition indicates it is a necessity. This decision is at the discretion of the attending medical officer.
Except in the case of an emergency, admission to hospital is through referral from a GP. During the admission procedure, details will be taken and if appropriate, the method of payment will be established.
Elective surgery offers will be forwarded to patients prior to surgery, this will include date and time for pre anaesthetic clinic. Enquires regarding your proposed surgery dates can be made to the theatre scheduler on (08) 8987 0231.
Obstetric patients are advised to attend for the pre-admission interview when advised by general practitioner or midwife.
Arrival on the Ward
You will be met by a member of the nursing staff, shown to your bed and patient areas. A nurse will be allocated to care for you.
Your nurse will take a brief history of personal matters, which may be important during your stay in hospital (including the medication you have been taking at home) and carry out appropriate checks for you, for example your blood pressure and pulse.
A doctor will record your medical history and conduct a physical examination. Please answer questions about your health frankly and honestly. Your doctor will want to know about any allergies you may have to antibiotics, medications or food. Information and details about your health and condition will remain in confidence.
If you require any diagnostic procedures and tests (pathology and x-rays etc) these will be scheduled for you. The registered nurse caring for you on duty will be able to answer any questions you may have.
Bed allocations and single rooms
Allocation of single rooms at Gove District Hospital is for patients with specific medical needs (eg. palliative care, those who require isolation or who are terminally ill). For this reason, private patients will not be automatically allocated a single room.
What to bring to hospital
Personal belongings and documents
Your nightwear, dressing gown, slippers and undergarments should be clearly marked with your name. There are facilities to wash personal belongings in both ward areas.
Please bring your own toiletries (brush or comb, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, tissues, shaving gear etc) and reading matter or something to occupy your time. If you wear glasses, please include them when packing. You will also need some clothes to change into for your return home. For convenience, you may also like to bring your watch, address book or a list of telephone numbers and a pen.
Maternity patients are advised to have front opening nightdresses, maternity bras, nursing pads and sanitary wear. For discharge, you will need baby clothes, blanket, nappies and safety pins (if needed).
Please bring your Medicare card or health fund details/book (if you have private health insurance), a letter of admission from your doctor if you have one, current medication, list of drugs to which you are allergic and any relevant X-rays or Ultrasounds (especially if you are a Maternity patient). Also remember to bring your antenatal records if you are a maternity patient.
Electronic items
Permission to use electrical appliances must be obtained from the nursing staff, Citizen band (CB) radios and any other form of two-way equipment are not permitted inside the hospital. Double adaptors and extension cords must not be used. All electrical appliances must be in good working order with no frayed cords and must undergo an electrical check by the GDH maintenance department prior to use.
Gifts
Gifts of lollies, food and drinks are often appreciated. Visitors are asked to consult with the nursing staff before giving patients any articles of food or drink. Some items may not be able to be consumed while the patient is undergoing a course of treatment.
What NOT to bring to hospital
Alcohol and other drugs
Alcoholic drinks and other non-prescription drugs (including marijuana) are not to be brought into the hospital by patients or visitors. If you have prescription drugs with you, please give them to your nurse who will care for them while you are in hospital. They will be returned to you when you are discharged, but please ask your doctor whether you can continue taking them at home.
Mobile phones and two-way radios
Mobile phones and two-way radios are not to be used within patient treatment areas. They may cause interference to sensitive medical equipment with serious consequence to patients. Please ensure that mobile phones etc are turned off when entering these areas.
Valuables
You are requested not to bring valuables or large amounts of cash into hospital. You may wish to give your cash and valuables to a relative to take home. Special arrangements are made for unconscious patients. No responsibility will be accepted for the loss of valuables retained in the ward. Likewise, the hospital cannot accept responsibility for damage to a patient's personal clothing or items removed in the course of emergency treatment.
Cancellations
Every effort is made to arrange your admission/appointment on the date given but there are times when the number of emergency admissions (trauma patients etc) may make this impossible.
Should your admission/appointment be postponed due to unforeseen circumstances, we ask for your understanding and sincerely regret any inconvenience caused.
If you need to cancel your admission, please telephone (08) 8987 0211.
