Information for Patients

Going into any hospital can be a stressful time for both patients and families. Knowing as much as possible beforehand can help ease the stress.

Information about the Gold Coast Health Service District facility you attend will be provided to you on arrival or admission. Below is an information guide for general concerns.

Staying overnight

Gold Coast and Robina Hospital have single and shared rooms which accommodate both public and private patients. Rooms are allocated on clinical need. Very ill or infectious patients always have priority to single rooms. Your bed allocation may change during your stay.

Meals

If you are staying overnightat Gold Coast or Robina Hospital or at Carrara Health Centre, you will be offered a choice from the hospital menu. Special diets can usually be accommodated.

If you are having an operation, you may not be able to eat or drink for several hours before. Nursing staff will speak with you about this in your pre-admission appointment.

Some wards have tea and coffee making facilities for patients.

Gold Coast Health facilities have café and/or vending machines for refreshments for visitors.

Media

Gold Coast Health has Public Affairs staff who may approach you on behalf of media about how you came to be in hospital and your current condition. Your privacy and health is our primary concern. A general condition report using standard terms (good, stable, serious or critical) is the only information given in response to a media call. Patients will be asked for their written consent before any media activity takes place.

Medical research

Medical research is important in improving health care and you may be asked to be involved in research activities. You will be given information about the research and you will be asked if you wish to take part. You do not have to take part if you do not wish to and your care will not be affected in any way.

Medicines

Medical and nursing staff should be made aware of any regular medications you are taking. Please bring these with you to the ward, along with dosage information.

Organ donation

Organ and tissue donation is a personal choice and it is very important to discuss your intentions with your family. You can register your intention to donate after your death on the Australian Organ Donor Register. For more information please refer to the Queenslanders Donate website.

Pastoral care

Gold Coast Health has a pastoral care team of representatives from various religious groups. They offer advice, guidance and support and will help anyone regardless of their beliefs. If you or your family would like to see a pastoral care worker please see a staff member and they will provide you with contact details.

Patient information directory

If you are staying in Gold Coast Hospital, Robina Hospital or Carrara Health Centre overnight, take some time to have a look through the patient information directory located in your bedside locker. You will find all the information you need about the hospital from visiting times to details of amenities.

Personal belongings

While our staff take every care, Gold Coast Health Service District takes no responsibility for any lost or damaged items belonging to patients or their families or visitors. Please do not bring large amounts of money, jewellery, televisions or other valuables into hospital.  If this is unavoidable, please inform nursing staff and they will arrange for valuables to be placed in the Hospital Patient Trust for the duration of your visit.

Safety procedures

In the event of a fire or other general emergency, please remain calm and wait for staff to tell you what to do.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in any area other than an outdoor Nominated Smoking Place, if available. Ask staff for the location.

If you are a patient coming into hospital and you smoke, your smoking will be assessed and you will be offered nicotine replacement therapy (nicotine patches or gum) to help you not smoke during your hospital stay. The patches and gum will reduce any withdrawal symptoms such as cravings, irritability and anxiety.

Staff identification

All District staff and volunteers wear hospital identification badges that include their photograph, name and job title. If you are concerned about the identity of a visitor, please call a staff member.

Student training

Gold Coast and Robina Hospitals, and Carrara Health Centre are teaching facilities for doctors, nurses and allied health staff in training. Your doctor will introduce them to you. If you would prefer not to have these medical staff present please let the doctor know. Asking to be seen alone will not affect your care in any way.

Support

Many of our hospitals have special services to help you. If you are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, are hearing impaired or need an interpreter, please let the staff know so assistance may be arranged for you. Chaplaincy and counselling services can be arranged.

Television / telephone / radio

Information about these services can be found in the patient information directory. Only battery-operated personal electrical equipment can be used in hospital. For the comfort of other patients earphones must be used with personal radios or CD players. Televisions are available for patient use – ask the ward staff when you arrive.

Public phone facilities for use by patients and visitors are available at Gold Coast Health facilities.

Visiting

Seeing family and friends is important to your care. Check with the hospital prior to your admission about visiting times for your ward so that you can tell family and friends. Encourage friends and family to call the hospital to check on visiting times for your ward prior to coming to see you in case you have been moved to another ward.

Patients usually have a rest period during the day when visitors are not allowed.

At times, for patient comfort and safety, visitors may be limited to no more than two at a time.

Visitors who have colds or other infections should not visit until they are well.

Volunteers

Our hospital patients, staff and visitors appreciate the dedicated efforts of our volunteers. They help with a wide variety of support services and wear identification badges.