Overview
Katherine Hospital is a public hospital. No patient will be refused admission to a "public hospital" if the medical condition indicates it is a necessity. This decision is at the discretion of the attending physician.
Except in the case of an emergency, admission to hospital is through referral from a GP, Health clinic or agency. Obstetric patients are advised to attend the pre-admission clinic approximately four weeks prior to admission.
We encourage surgical patients, in particular, to contact the theatre scheduler on (08) 8973 9323 a week prior to their scheduled surgery (and again the day before) to enquire about any likely cancellation due to bed shortages.
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) 89739 211 as soon as possible. Appointment cancellations should be directed to (08) 8973 9323 for Theatre bookings and (08) 8973 9218 for specialist appointments.
Arrival on the Ward
You will be met by a member of the nursing staff, shown to your bed and asked to change into nightwear. 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, ultra sounds, Xrays, etc) these will be scheduled for you. The senior nurse on duty will be able to answer any questions you may have.
Bed allocations and single rooms
Allocation of single rooms at Katherine Hospital is for patients with specific needs (eg. palliative care, those who require isolation or who are terminally ill). For this reason, private patients will not be 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 no facilities to wash personal belongings.
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 hand-held antenatal records if you are a Maternity patient.
Electronic items
Permission to use electrical appliances must be sought from the nursing staff.
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. These substances may adversely react with hospital medication. 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. If this is unavoidable, please deposit valuables for safekeeping with the hospital's nursing staff, you will be issued with a receipt listing the items. Alternatively, 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.