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Private Patient Information
Public Hospital Patient Charter Principles
Public Transport
Responsibility for Treatment
Smoking, Alcohol & Recreational Drugs
Telephones
Victorian Public Hospitals Election Procedures
Volunteer Transport Service
Your Recuperation

Overnight Stay - Admission and Discharge

For those requiring an overnight stay in Hospital

Prior to admission to Hospital, please inform:

• your General Practitioner (this may be a phone call); and
• any community support services you may be currently using; (e.g. Home Help, Meals On Wheels; etc.)

Advise them that you are being admitted as a patient to Box Hill Hospital. Let them know approximately how many days you expect to be in Hospital. Ensure you have arranged transportation home when discharged from the Hospital.

Please follow preparation for surgical procedures guidelines prior to arriving at the Hospital for admission. You would have received fasting instructions from the Hospital's Bookings Office.

What to bring:

• current medications (including eye drops, puffers, herbal remedies and prescription medications) and any recent x-rays clearly marked with your name
• your Medicare Card, Pension Card, Health Insurance details and Department of Veterans Affairs Entitlement Card
• walking aides - please label with your name
• contact number of your next of kin, a relative or friend
• a bag for your day clothes whilst you are in surgery
• a small amount of money for television hire, public telephone, newspapers, magazines, snacks, flowers, etc. from the Kiosk or trolleys
• personal toiletries, slippers, sleepwear, dressing gown and a box of tissues.

Please do not bring:

• valuables including jewelry or large sums of money (the Hospital can not be held responsible for their safe keeping)
• mobile telephones, pagers, etc or your own television. These are not permitted.

It is not safe to drive following an anaesthetic. Please ensure you have arranged to be transported home from the Hospital on discharge.

PLEASE NOTE: all electrical appliances brought into the Hospital must be checked by the Hospital’s Engineering Department. The Ward Staff are able to arrange this.

Being admitted

Please use the main entrance of the Hospital (Nelson Road, Box Hill). Proceed to the Admitting Office where the Admitting Officer will prepare your admission to Hospital. You will then be escorted to the Surgical Services Admission Centre, located on Ward 2 West. The Nurses in the Centre will then prepare you for surgery.

Your Stay

Following surgery you will be transferred to an appropriate Ward for after surgery care.

Accommodation

We usually allocate a single room according to your medical condition rather than on private health insurance status. Most rooms have four beds with ensuite shower and toilet facilities. On a rare occasion, bed shortage may necessitate sharing of a four-bed room by both genders.

When patients are critically ill, we are always able to arrange for close relations to stay overnight.

Enquiries

Your family and friends may telephone (03) 9895 3333 and ask for Patient Enquiries for information about your condition. However, we ask that a nominated family member act as the liaison caller so as to minimise the number of calls to the Ward. Please be advised that we are unable to discuss confidential information, such as results of investigations with anyone but the relevant patient and, with their permission, next of kin.

Visiting

While we encourage visiting, we are mindful of the need for rest and quiet in Hospital. Visiting hours vary. Please check with your Ward Staff regarding allocated rest period times.

Meals

A Menu Assistant will help in the daily selection and completion of your menu. If you require a special diet for medical, religious or cultural reasons please discuss your needs with the Menu Assistant or ask for the Dietitian.

Discharge

The health care team assigned to your care will discuss with you the following important considerations before you leave Hospital:

• your capacity to manage at home;
• transport arrangements;
• medications;
• medical instructions from your Doctor;
• current and/or new community services support required;
• a summary Discharge Letter for your General Practitioner;
• Medical Certificate if required;
• arrangement for follow-up appointment; and
• other issues important to you.

It is not safe to drive after an anaesthetic. Please ensure you have an adult accompany you home who is able to look after you following your discharge from Hospital.

Please arrange to leave the Hospital by 10am on the day of discharge.

Hospital Accounts

• Public Patients

You are entitled to Medicare funded Hospital care if you choose to be treated as a public patient under the care of a Doctor chosen by the Hospital.

• Private Patients

As a private patient, you may be treated by a Doctor of your choice, provided the Doctor has admitting rights at Box Hill Hospital. Private patients without health insurance are required to pay a deposit before admission.

• Long-stay Patients

Under the terms of Commonwealth legislation, patients hospitalised for more than 35 days who do not need acute medical treatment must be classified as 'nursing home type patients'. Such patients are required to pay a daily contribution which is not covered by Medicare or private health insurance.

Medicare will cover 75% of the Commonwealth Medical Benefit Schedule fee for the medical services provided to private patients while in Hospital and private health insurance will cover the remaining 25% of the fee.

Victorian Public Hospitals’ Election Procedures

The current Medicare Agreement between the Commonwealth and State Governments requires that YOU (or your agent) ELECT to be treated as PUBLIC (non-chargeable) or PRIVATE (chargeable) patient upon admission to this Hospital.

YOU (or your agent), having made an INFORMED election to be treated as a PUBLIC or PRIVATE patient upon admission to this Hospital, cannot change your initial election status except for the following 'unforeseen' circumstances:

• A change in medical circumstances, i.e. patients who are admitted for a particular procedure but are found to have co-morbidities not evident at admission, or develop complications;
• A change in social circumstances, i.e. change in income status resulting in an inability to pay (loss of job or bankruptcy).

A Public Patient

• Will be treated by Doctors nominated by the Hospital;
• Cannot choose a specific Doctor to provide his/her medical treatment; and
• Will not be charged for medical or Hospital services.

You CANNOT choose to be a PUBLIC PATIENT if you elect:

• To be treated by a Doctor of your own choice or
• To occupy a bed in a single room.

A Private Patient

• Will be treated by his/her nominated Doctor(s) provided that the Doctor(s) have the right to practice at the Hospital; and
• Will be RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PAYMENT of Hospital accommodation fees, charges for medical services and prosthesis and dental fees.

Private Health Insurance

• DOES NOT guarantee a private room in a public hospital. Priority is given based on medical need first and therefore on bed availability.
• DOES NOT stop you from electing to be a public patient.
• WILL COVER full cost of shared Ward accommodation but may not fully cover costs (depending on level of cover) if single room accommodation is chosen and you are not in a 'front end deductible scheme'.

Veterans' Affairs Patients

Veterans' Affairs patients are those for whom the Department of Veterans' Affairs has agreed to accept responsibility for Hospital charges for the condition for which you are being admitted.

Compensable Patients

If you are, or may be, entitled to (or have already received) compensation, damages or other benefits in respect of the injury, illness or disease for which you are receiving hospital care and medical treatment, all fees and charges may be met by your compensation. This includes, for example, compensation under the Accident Compensation Act 1985, Transport Accident Act 1986, Criminal Injuries Compensation Act 1983, Compensation (Commonwealth Government Employees) Act or claim for damages at common law.

Public Hospital Patient Charter Principles - Information for Patients

You have the right to:

• A wide range of public hospital services.
• Treatment based on clinical need regardless of ability to pay or health insurance status.
• Treatment and care in a safe environment.
• Access your health records and confidentiality for your personal information.
• Participate in making decisions about your treatment and care.
• Participate in decisions and receive information about your discharge from hospital.
• Treatment with respect, dignity and consideration for privacy.
• Choose whether you wish to have treatment as a public or private patient.
• Information about which hospital staff will provide your care.
• Information about your health care and, if you wish, a second medical opinion.
• Information on what steps the hospital takes to improve quality of care.
• If necessary, access to an accredited interpreter.
• Services provided in a culturally sensitive way.
• An opportunity to discuss any questions or complaints you may have concerning your stay in hospital.
• To make a complaint to an independent complaints body.

You have a responsibility to:

• Work with your treating team by providing relevant information about your health or circumstances which may influence your treatment, recovery or stay in hospital.