Preparing for your admission
In preparing for your stay at The Park Private Hospital, there are a few important items to organise and bring with you. Please review the information carefully to help ensure your procedure runs smoothly and your stay is as comfortable as possible.
Prior to your admission, please ensure you:
- Complete and return all pre-admission paperwork at least five days before your admission date. Complete your online admission here.
- Follow any instructions provided to you by your referring doctor regarding your surgery.
- Contact your Private Health Fund (if applicable) to confirm your level of cover. Your fund will also advise you of any excess or co-payments required under your policy. Also see Fees, Charges and Insurance.
- Complete a Pre-Admission Telephone Call (see below).
- Arrange a responsible adult to collect and drive you home from the hospital.
If you are being treated under a general anaesthetic or sedation, you will need to arrange a responsible adult to stay with you for the first 24 hours following discharge.
Pre-admission Telephone Call
Two days before your procedure you will receive a pre-admission telephone call. This call is essential and will include:
- A brief health assessment
- Your admission and fasting times
- What to bring on the day of admission
- An opportunity to ask any questions
- Notify us of any specific needs you may have
If you miss your Pre-Admission Telephone Call, please return the call as soon as possible. Even if you receive a text message with your admission time, you are still required to call us back, as this step is essential in completing your admission process.
If you have not heard from our team by 5:00pm two days before your admission, please contact us.
If you need your admission time earlier, you may call us up to two weeks before your surgery. We can provide a tentative time; however, the final time will only be confirmed during your Pre-Admission Telephone Call.
How long will I be in hospital
If you are attending for a day procedure, you should expect to be at The Park Private Hospital for 4 to 5 hours, unless advised otherwise by clinical staff. The actual time you will spend at the hospital may vary due to the nature of your procedure and other activities occurring during the day.
The discharge time for patients staying overnight is 8:00am, unless otherwise agreed with Hospital staff prior to admission.
Fasting Instructions
If your procedure is in the MORNING (AM) Session:
- Food and Milk: Do NOT consume any food or milk from 12:00 midnight the night before the morning surgery.
- Clear Fluids: You may consume WATER only up until 2 hours before your scheduled admission time.
If your procedure is in the AFTERNOON (PM) Session:
- Food and Milk: Do NOT consume food or milk from 6:00am on the day of your surgery.
- Clear Fluids: You may consume WATER only up until 2 hours before your scheduled admission time.
Please Note
- Fasting from food includes NO lollies or chewing gum.
- If you have received different fasting advice from your anaesthetist, please follow their instructions.
- If you are currently taking medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Saxenda, or any diabetic medication, your fasting instructions will differ from the standard guidelines above and will be given to you by your anaesthetist.
On the day of Admission
Please shower before leaving home, wear comfortable, loose clothing, and remove all jewellery and piercings.
Ensure that you arrive at the scheduled admission time.
What To Bring
- All current medications, in their original packaging
- Past medical history from your GP
- X-Rays, scans or test results associated with your surgery
- Any Advanced Health Care Directives
- Medicare Card, Pension Card, Private Health Insurance Card
- Payment for hospital fees (excess or co-payment), or total fees for uninsured / self-funded patients
- Reading material (including glasses if required)
- Hearing aids and case
- Any walking aids
- Personal toiletries (if staying overnight)
Do Not Bring
- Valuables or large amounts of cash (except if required for payment on admission)
- Jewellery
- Hot water bottles or electric blankets
- Sleepwear, we will provide you with a gown
Please be aware that The Park Private Hospital is strictly a smoke-free facility, which includes the hospital, surrounding car parks and gardens. This policy applies to all individuals who enter the grounds including patients.
Preparing to go Home
Prior to your discharge, you will receive instructions to follow when you return home. These outline the routine care required after your procedure. Please ensure you ask about anything you are unsure of before leaving the hospital.
While the major effects of anaesthetic wear off quickly, minor effects such as changes in memory, balance, and muscle function may continue for several hours.
These effects vary from person to person and cannot be predicted, so please take note of the following:
- A family member or carer must collect and drive you home from hospital after your procedure.
- A responsible adult must stay with you for at least 24 hours after your procedure.
- Do not drive a care or operate heavy machinery for 24 hours.
- Do not consume any alcohol for at least 24 hours after your procedure.
Once home, if you have any further concerns, please contact your doctor or your general practitioner.
