The Angliss Hospital is a public hospital which continues to serve a wide area of Melbourne's outer eastern community as it has done for over 60 years. It is a member of Eastern Health. The Angliss Hospital is an Accredited Baby Friendly Hospital and is also accredited by the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS). Approximately 2300 babies are born each year in the Maternity Unit.

Our Philosophy

Staff at the Angliss Hospital Maternity Unit are committed to providing quality care that is woman-centred and based on the philosophy that childbirth is a natural event which requires little or no intervention.

Facilities

Nestled at the foot of the Dandenong Ranges many of our rooms have views of the surrounding hills.

Delivery Suite

Our Delivery Suites are decorated and designed to create a non-clinical, warm and family centred environment. It is our aim to provide a choice of birthing options to all our families in pleasant surroundings. At all times, specialist staff, emergency equipment and support services are available if and when necessary.

Post Natal Ward

The Post Natal Wards are designed with a combination of both two bed and four bed rooms. We also have a limited number of single rooms all with ensuite bathrooms. Bedside phones are available for a small cost. 24 hour rooming in is practiced to allow you and your baby to get to know each other.

Post Natal education is provided in the ward with educational videos shown at the bedside throughout your stay.

Visiting hours

Visiting hours are between 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm.

Length of stay

Generally the length of stay is 2 days following the baby's birth if mother and baby are well. A 4 day stay is usual following a Caesarean birth. The Domiciliary midwife will visit you at home after discharge.

Level 2 High Dependency Special Care Nursery

Our Special Care Nursery offers a family-centred approach to care for premature babies born between 32-37 weeks gestation, as well as sick full term babies. The nursery is staffed by experienced Special Care Nurses, with a Paediatrician on call 24 hours a day.

Parents and siblings are encouraged to spend time with their baby to bond and gain confidence with caring for their baby before going home.

Family Birth Centre (FBC)

The FBC is located in close proximity to the Delivery Suite. Accommodation provides motel style facilities with private room, ensuite bath, lounge and play area.

Following the birth, care will be provided in the centre for 24 hours and then Domiciliary care at home up to the 5th Post Natal day.

Models of Care

Family Birth Centre (FBC)

The Family Birth Centre is an option of care available to healthy women anticipating an uncomplicated pregnancy and birth.

The small team of midwives in the centre are committed to a philosophy that pregnancy labour and birth are natural events that require little or no intervention for the majority of women.

Antenatal care and childbirth education is provided by the midwives. This enables women to get to know each midwife on the team.

Partnership Maternity Care Program

Small teams of midwives work in partnership with participating GPs or Obstetricians. Care during pregnancy is provided by midwives in the doctors' rooms, with key visits with the doctor. During labour and birth, care is provided in the hospital by midwives, with the doctor available if required.

General Practitioner Care

Pregnant Women may be cared for by an accredited obstetric GP who may or may not be their family Doctor.

The obstetric GP who provides antenatal care is called to attend the birth and will provide follow up care in hospital as well as a six week postnatal check of mother and baby. All Antenatal Visits are attended in the Doctor's rooms.

Specialist Obstetrician Care

Specialist obstetricians are available to care for women referred by GPs should complications arise in the pregnancy. The specialist obstetrician also provides an "on call" service 24 hours a day and is available for any client under the care of a GP or midwife who requires specialist management.

Obstetricians care for women at the Angliss Hospital who may not have high risk factors or complications but nevertheless may wish to have a specialist obstetrician care for them. Antenatal visits are attended in the Obstetrician's rooms.

How To Book In

Once you have decided on one of these options of care, you should phone to make an appointment with your Doctor or Midwife. At your first consultation, you will be given a signed Maternity Registration Form. We ask you to complete this and forward it to the Maternity Booking Clerk at the hospital, who will acknowledge receipt of your form. You are then "booked in" to have your baby at The Angliss.

More Information

 
For further information or if you wish to make arrangements to attend Antenatal Classes,
details may be obtained by phoning one of our Midwives on 9764-6306 during the following hours:

Tuesday and Wednesday 1.15pm - 5pm
Thursday 9.15am - 1pm

Our Services

Medical

- Obstetrician on call 24 hrs/day
- Paediatrician on call 24 hrs/day
- RMO or Resident Medical Officer (Hospital Doctor) present in the hospital 24 hrs/day
- Obstetric Registrar (Senior Hospital Doctor) 5 days per week

Midwife Support Services

 
Allied Health

Health Psychology

The Health Psychologists at the Angliss Hospital provide assessment, support and counselling to individuals and families in relation to:

• depression and anxiety including post-natal depression
• coping and adjustment to the arrival of a new baby
• grief and loss.

Child and Family Psychology

• promotes parent / child development knowledge and skills including parent / child interaction, social skills and self esteem
• assists families having difficulties with the social, behavioural and / or emotional development of their children
• provides parental support for families experiencing stress and / or social isolation because of child-based issues

  For further information, or to make an appointment contact the Angliss Hospital Psychology Department on Phone: 97646321

Social Work

Provides support and assistance to women and families experiencing difficulties in a range of areas such as financial, housing, relationship and personal issues.

Physiotherapy

Provides a comprehensive service for both women and children throughout pregnancy and post-natally. All services are provided by Women's Health and Paediatric physiotherapists. Classes are conducted by Vicfit accredited instructors. These services include:

To book classes or for further information regarding the times and cost of classes phone the Physiotherapy Department on Phone 9764 6150

Dietitian

Provides advice to women who have special dietary needs during pregnancy.

When to go to hospital

You can speak to a midwife in delivery suite at any time by phoning the Angliss Hospital on 9764 6111. You will then be advised regarding admission.

You should contact Delivery Suite if you have any of the following:

• Pain or bleeding
• If you think you may be in premature labour (contractions before 37 weeks gestation)
• If your baby is less active than usual
• When the membranes rupture (waters break) or you think they may have.
• If you have a persistent headache or visual disturbances such as blurred vision or spots before the eyes.
• When you are having regular painful contractions.
• If you are worried about your own or your baby's wellbeing.

Where to come

Enter the hospital via the main entrance on Talaskia Road between 7am and 9pm
(see map)

Enter via Accident and Emergency off Albert Street, between 9pm and 7am or at any time if you are coming to be admitted to Delivery suite. You may take the stairs or lift to the 3rd floor. A wheelchair can be arranged if required by asking at reception.

Baby feeding

The midwives will give every assistance with feeding your baby whether by breast or by bottle. However they do recommend exclusive breast feeding for the first 6 months for the following reasons: Reduces the risk of baby developing chest, middle ear and gastro-intestinal infections, asthma & diabetes. To facilitate this your baby will room in with you unless admitted to Special care Nursery. The Angliss Hospital is an accredited Baby Friendly Hospital.

Requirements for you

• Comfortable day clothes, Night attire/Dressing gown/Slippers
• Underwear including 3 nursing bras, washable nursing pads
• 3 packets of Sanitary Napkins
• 1 packet of tissues
• Clothes for going home for yourself and your baby (including nappy)
• Pen
• Wrist watch or small clock

Please have a separate bag packed in the top of your suitcase containing items for Delivery Suite including: 1 old nightie or tee-shirt for labour, 1 other nightie, 2 pairs of panties, toiletries, sanitary napkins, camera, glucose lollies, 1 set of baby clothes: singlet and growsuit and bunny rug.

Requirements for baby

• 6 nightgowns/growsuits, 6 singlets
• 1 jacket or cardigan
• 3 bunny rugs, baby soap and soap container
• 1 packet cotton balls (or a good supply of cotton wool)
• 2-3 waterproof pants e.g. Snibs (available from Pharmacies)
• Sheets will be provided

  Please ensure that all items are laundered before use and are clearly labelled. We ask that you provide a bag suitable for soiled washing. The hospital is unable to take responsibility for any lost articles.

Additional Items to bring

Blood group card, Medicare or Health Insurance Card, Change for Phone or Phone Card.

Child Restraints

It is a legal requirement that babies whilst in a car are properly restrained in an approved care restraint at all times. We strongly advise that you ensure a baby restraint is correctly fitted to your vehicle prior to discharge. Midwives are not responsible for checking baby restraints.

Handy Hints

The following hints have been prepared to assist you when you go home with your baby from hospital.

1. Organise some help in the first 1-4 weeks, i.e. Partner / relative / friend.
2. Have baby's clothes, nappies, etc. pre-laundered and ready for use.
3. Have baby's cot or cradle and nursery set up.
4. Have your fridge, freezer and pantry stocked, i.e. cook extra casseroles and freeze.
5. Locate and visit your nearest Maternal & Child Health Centre and Nursing Mothers Group.