Your stay with us
All patients at Allamanda Private Hospital are treated with the highest respect and dignity during there stay. Below is information to assist our prospective patients in preparing for their hospital stay.
- Before Admission
- On Admission
- Discharge Information
- Payment of Accounts
- Facilities and Services
- Patient Feedback
- Patient Brochures
Before Admission
Admission Checklist
To help with your admission please utilities the following checklist to ensure that you are fully prepared:
- Please ensure that all your pre-admission forms are completed and returned to the Hospital either via the reply paid envelope or personally to the front reception of the hospital at least 48 hours prior to admission.
These forms include:
- Consent Form
- Consent to Use Information
- Hospital Consent
- Pre-Admission Form
- CJD Screening
- Confirm your admission time with your doctor’s rooms.
- Patients will only be contacted by our Patient Services Department if informed financial consent needs to be advised for example: if an excess is required or regarding your level of hospital cover.
Preadmission Clinic
Allamanda Private Hospital wishes to provide the best possible care for our patients. In doing so, the pre-admission service staffed by Registered Nurses provide:
- A Telephone Service – whereby you may receive a telephone call the business day prior to your surgery to obtain details pertaining to the surgical procedure your surgeon has arranged. Our staff will ensure admission, fasting times and the procedure type are confirmed and existing conditions are established. We will also assist with any questions or concerns.
- Pre-Admission Clinic – is offered to patients requiring major surgery whereby patients are hospitalised for long stay periods of 3 days or longer e.g. Joint Replacements, Spinal Surgery, and Thoracic Surgery.
The purpose of the Pre-admission clinic is to assess the fitness for surgery and anaesthesia. To streamline your admission for surgery and to provide the best possible preparation for your surgery.
- Your appointment will include:
- A comprehensive Nursing Assessment
- ECG, Blood Pressure, Temperature
- Nursing education relating to pre and post procedure
- Discharge & after-care equipment arrangements
- Completion of admission forms
- Blood Tests / X-rays can be arranged
Please bring with you:
-
- Completed forms your surgeon has given you including the signed ‘Surgical Consent’
- List of previous operations and current and previous illnesses
- Any forms for blood tests / x-rays you wish to arrange
Please report to the front reception of Allamanda Private Hospital unless otherwise directed as some pre-admission clinics are off site, you are welcome to bring a relative or friend with you. A wheelchair can be provided if you require it.
The pre-admission clinic is complimentary and there are no fees charged for this service. Please allow up to 45 minutes for this clinic which is designed to provide a relaxed, informed admission process.
Appointments are necessary and are generally made up to 10 days prior to surgery. Staff will either contact you or you can call (07) 5591 9970 from 8.00am to 4.00pm.
Please ensure that you bring the following with you to hospital:
- Administration Documents
- Health Insurance Information – membership details
- Medicare Card
- Pension Card *
- Health Care Card *
- Prescription Record Card *
- Pharmaceutical Entitlement Card *
- Safety Net Card *
- Department of Veteran’s Affairs Card *
- Workers Compensation Approval Letter *
* if applicable
-
All your current medications
Please bring all your current medications in the original packaging or dosette boxes i.e. pills, tablets, inhalers, injections, ointments/creams, vitamins or homeopathic medicines.
Any medications which are not brought in at the time of admission, can be supplied by the hospital but this will be an additional cost to you.
-
Other items you will be required to bring are:
-
Any relevant X-ray or Ultrasound films
-
Any hospital forms (fully completed) and letters or reports from your Doctor
-
Personal nightwear including slippers
-
Toiletries if staying overnight (soap, shampoo, toothpaste)
-
Shoes with non-slip soles with low heels
-
Reading material
-
-
As the hospital assumes no responsibility for personal items, please do not bring the following items into hospital:
Planning for Home
Giving yourself an adequate amount of recovery time is essential to ensure your safety and well being. Please ensure you have made arrangements for transport following discharge as well as from day surgery.
It is highly recommended that you do not drive a motorcar, operate machinery, operate dangerous equipment or sign important documents for at least 24 hours after being sedated or receiving a general anaesthetic. A responsible person must care you for when you go home.
A follow up appointment will be arranged for you before you are discharged, if your doctor has not already done so.
On Admission
On your Admission
Please ensure that you bring the following documents with you:
- Health Insurance Information – membership details
- Medicare Card
- Pension Card *
- Health Care Card *
- Prescription Record Card *
- Pharmaceutical Entitlement Card *
- Safety Net Card *
- Department of Veteran’s Affairs Card *
- Workers Compensation Approval Letter *
* if applicable
Please ensure that you arrive at the hospital at the correct time given to you by your doctor’s receptionist. If unsure of this time, please confirm with your doctor.
If you are having surgery on the day of your admission please:
- Bathe or Shower prior to coming to hospital, please use plain, unperfumed soap unless you have been provided with special soap from the pre-admission clinic
- Do not use any deodorants, powders or creams
- Do not wear any make-up, jewellery or nail polish
- Please check with your doctor for instructions regarding fasting and your medications prior to surgery
On arrival at the hospital you will be greeted at the admissions desk by an experienced staff. If you are being admitted for surgery on the day of your procedure you will be escorted to the Day Surgery Unit on completion of your administrative process.
Whilst we appreciate that patients would prefer a single room, we may not be able to provide you with this request. Unfortunately, not all beds at Allamanda Private Hospital are in single rooms so we might have to arrange accommodation in two and four bed shared rooms. If you would prefer a single room, we will make every attempt to move you to your preferred accommodation if it becomes available. Please note that private rooms are allocated according to medical needs, seriously ill patients are given priority.
Day of Surgery Admission
On the Day of your Procedure or Admission, you will be greeted at the admissions desk by one of our experienced staff, who will finalise your admission. You will then be escourted to your ward by a staff member where a nursing assessment will be conducted to obtain a brief medical history. If you should have any concerns regarding your hospitalisation please do not hesitate to discuss these with the nurse. An anaesthetist will visit you if your procedure requires an anaesthetic.
Day Surgery Unit
If you have been booked in for a Day Surgery Procedure, please attend the admissions desk at front reception to finalise your admission. Once this has been completed you will be escorted to the day surgery unit.
On arrival to the unit you will be asked to relax in a recliner chair for the duration of your stay, although there is only limited space you are very welcome to be accompanied by a member of your family or a friend.
A member of the nursing staff will finalise your admission to the unit and you will be asked to change into your theatre garments inclusive of a dressing gown. All of your relevant health history will be obtained during this process as well as current details of your next of kin for contact whilst you are with us and to enable us to ensure that someone is available to transport you home when you are discharged. Patients are admitted according to the order of the theatre list not necessarily in the order that they arrived on the unit.
Upon return to the unit following your procedure, you will be offered light refreshments if you have any special dietary needs please advise your admitting nurse. Our nursing staff will monitor your post op recovery. Your Doctor may request that you stay in the unit for a minimum of 2 hours post procedure; this may occur if you have had a general anaesthetic. Once your Doctor has reviewed you then you are welcome to leave the unit. On admission a member of the nursing staff will advise if this will be relevant to you.
If your procedure or the doctor requires that you be hospitalised overnight, your personal items will be identified, stored safely and then transported to your ward whilst you are in theatre. Therefore it is important that you do not bring any valuables with you on admission.
During your stay
The well being and care of our patients is of the utmost importance to us and we aim to make their stay as comfortable as possible to ensure their speedy recovery, please let us know if there is anything that we can do to improve their stay.
There are a number of support services available within hospital to assist you and your family during your admission. These include:
- Acute Pain Service
- Continence Advisor
- Diabetes Educator
- Discharge Planner
- Pastoral Care
- Stomal Therapist
- Wound Consultant
For your comfort and convenience Allamanda Private Hospital provides the following:
Automatic Teller Machine
Is located on the ground Floor behind the coffee shop.
Coffee Shop
Hudsons Coffee Shop is located on the ground level adjacent to our front reception. They have a wide range of hot & cold food, sweets and beverages. Their opening hours are: Monday to Friday 6.30 am to 7.00 pm and Saturday / Sundy 8.00 am to 5.00 pm. Flowers, newspapers and magazines can also be purchased from Hudsons.
Compliments, Comments & Complaints
Allamanda Private Hospital welcomes feedback from their patients. In a quest for providing the highest standard of hospital care, patient satisfaction surveys are conducted quarterly and the hospital conducts focus meetings with patients regularly. Customer satisfaction is one of our top priorities. Please contact staff if you have enquiries or suggestions.
Department of Veterans Affairs Liaison Officer
Allamanda Private Hospital has a DVA Liaison Officer who regularly visits DVA patients. Please don’t hesitate to contact staff to arrange a visit.
Electrical Appliances
Patients are requested not to bring any electrical appliances into hospital with them in order to protect the electricity supply to our facility.
Emergency Procedures
In the event of an emergency, remain in your room until a staff member advises what to do. All staff are trained in emergency procedures. Please follow their directions.
Finance
For self insured patients or patients with out of pocket expenses, patients are required to pay their estimated cost of stay on admission. Payment may be made by Cash, EFTPOS, Visa, Mastercard or American Express.
Flowers
Please check with staff on the ward prior to giving flowers to the patient as sometimes for certain reasons flowers may not be appropriate. Vases are available in the wards; please ask the nursing staff for assistance. Flowers are not allowed in the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital.
Hairdresser
A visiting Hairdresser is available for your convenience. Please ask the nursing staff to organise an appointment for you.
Housekeeping
All rooms are cleaned daily. Please do not hesitate to contact staff if you have any concerns regarding any aspect of the cleaning.
Interpreter
Our staff are able to arrange an interpreter service if required.
Justice of the Peace
The services of a JP are available to the hospital on request. Nursing staff are not authorised to witness patient documents.
Laundry
It is advisable to arrange for a relative or friend to do your personal laundry. A same day external laundry service is available at a fee. If you require this service, you can obtain details from the staff.
Mail
Incoming mail will be delivered to your room daily. Outgoing mail (stamped) may be handed to the ward clerk or left at front reception on the ground floor and will be posted daily. Our postal address is:
Allamanda Private Hospital
Attention: Patients Name (ward if known)
PO Box 927
SOUTHPORT QLD 4215
Meals
Allamanda Private Hospital has chefs and dietary staff who specialise in planning and preparing meals that are nutritious and tasty, incorporating fresh ingredients into a wide choice of meals available daily.
At times your doctor may order a special diet for you or you may have undergone surgery, which may require you to have a special diet. Should you have any specific dietary requirements please notify our nursing staff at the time of your admission so that our Chef in consultation with a dietician can make the necessary arrangements for you.
We are able to provide wine or beer with your meals with your Doctors permission. Please be advised that alcohol is not to be brought into the hospital.
Medications
All of your current medications and repeat prescriptions should be brought into hospital with you. Any medications, which are not brought in at the time of admission, can be supplied by the hospital but this will be an additional cost to you.
Mobile Phones
Must be switched off within all hospital buildings. They may be used in the courtyard and foyer areas.
Newspapers and Magazines
May be purchased from the coffee shop or from the patient comfort trolley.
Parking
Parking for patients and visitors is available in the carpark off Spendelove Street. A number of 2-hour car parking bays are available surrounding the hospital. Please note: Parking bays allocated to Doctors and Ambulances are not available for patient or visitor parking. Cars parked in disabled car spaces must display a valid permit. Drop off can occur at Reception or at the Emergency Care Centre (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
Pastoral Care
Religious faith representatives and clergy from all denominations may be contacted though the nursing staff who will arrange a visit for you. You and your visitors are welcome to visit the Gold Coast Hospital Chapel, which is opposite Allamanda Private Hospital in Queen Street.
Pharmacy
On admission to hospital, please ensure you provide your Health Concession Card, Safety Net and Medicare details to staff, so they can advise the pharmacy of your details. The pharmacy also provides a selection of toiletries and gifts.
Privacy Act
Healthscope respects and upholds your rights to privacy and protection under the National Privacy Act 1988. Your personal details are safeguarded ensuing confidentiality is respected and information is stored securely.
Public Transport
Surfside Bus Service stops outside the Gold Coast Hospital. The bus timetable is available from Surfside Bus Service on 13 12 30 or visit www.translink.com.au.
Smoking Policy
To comply with Queensland legislation all Healthscope facilities are strictly non-smoking. We ask that you and your visitors respect the health of others and refrain from smoking within our facilities.
Telephones
A telephone is provided at each bedside for your convenience and is available for both local and STD calls. Charges will apply to STD calls therefore it is advisable to check with the switchboard operator prior to making the call.
A public telephone is situated at the top of the stairs at reception.
Televisions
Are located next to each bed. The device required to operate the TV differs from ward to ward therefore this will be explained to you upon arrival to your room.
Valuables
Please do not bring any valuables to the hospital. We are unable to accept responsibility for any loss; therefore it is advisable that only a small amount of cash be kept for incidentals. Valuables can include money, credit cards, jewellery and the like.
Visiting Hours & Rest Periods
General Wards – 10.00am to 8.00pm
Intensive Care – 10.00am to 2.00pm and 4.00pm to 8.00pm
We encourage a rest period for all patients between 1.00pm and 3.00pm daily, this rest is important to the patients recovery. Please consider the patient’s state of health and that of any other patients sharing the room. Often brief visits with fewer people are better. An adult must closely supervise visiting children at all times.
Intensive Care Unit – all visitors must report to the Nurses Station prior to visiting. There is a limit of 2 visitors at a time in the ICU and please check with the nurse regarding children visiting.
Volunteers
Our volunteers make a highly valued contribution to our healthcare facility. They assist staff in greeting and transferring patients, as well as assisting with flowers or visiting patients.
For other services and information, please refer to the Patient Information Guide, which is located in each bedside draw.
Discharge Information
Discharge
Discharge Date and Time
Your doctor will inform you of your discharge date, discharge time from Allamanda Private Hospital is 9.00am. This ensures that beds are available for patients being admitted. Kindly make certain that you have made arrangements for transport following discharge, should you have any concerns please don’t hesitate to contact our staff for assistance.
Upon Discharge
Please ensure that you collect all your possessions with you when you leave the ward. Please check with the nursing staff regarding any medications or x-rays. When you are ready to leave the ward, please advise the nurse or ward receptionist who will complete your discharge documentation and arrange for a staff member or volunteer to escort you to the hospital entrance.
Discharge Medications
Your medications can be changed whilst you are in hospital; it is imperative that you are aware of exactly what your medication regime will be upon discharge. The pharmacist will provide you with all the information that you will require, such as correct dose and times of medications. At the doctors or pharmacists discretion the pharmacist may provide medication discharge profiles these are provided when there have been numerous changes made to the medication regime or if the patient is confused. This service is available to all DVA patients.
Discharge Planners
To facilitate the smooth transition between hospital and the home discharge planners are available for your convenience. Discussion will be focused around any changes to your independence following your hospital stay; this may include the organisation of any aids to assist your recovery such as equipment or ongoing care at home.
Veterans and War Widow’s
Specialised assistance particular to the needs and entitlements of Veterans and War Widows is available through the Better Discharge Planning Program, which ward staff will facilitate.
Ten Tips for Safer Healthcare
The following suggestions can help you become more active in your healthcare. Please don’t hesitate to ask your healthcare professional for a copy of the ten tips for safer healthcare booklet.
- Be actively involved in your healthcare
- Speak up if you have any questions
- Learn more about your condition or treatment
- Keep a list of all the medicines you are taking
- Make sure you understand the medicines you are taking
- Get the results of any test or procedure
- Talk about your options in you need to go to hospital
- Make sure you understand what will happen if you need surgery or a procedure
- Make sure you, your doctor and your surgeon all agree on exactly what will be done
- Before you leave hospital, ask your healthcare professional to explain the treatment plan you will use at home.
Payment of Accounts
Allamanda Private Hospital is recognised by all major health funds, which reimburse all treatment costs depending on your level of coverage. Information about our fees must be confirmed prior to admission.
You will be required to pay your bill on or before the day of admission. Payments can be made by cash, EFTPOS, Visa, Mastercard or American Express cards.
We realise hospital and related charges can sometimes be difficult to understand, we encourage you to contact our Patient Account Staff if you have any questions or concerns regarding your account and its payment on:
| Allamanda Private Hospital | (07) 5532 6444 |
| Allamanda Surgicentre | (07) 5509 8409 |
| Pacific Private Clinic | (07) 5556 6238 |
| Tweed Day Surgery | (07) 5599 5522 |
Prior approval is sought for compensable patients (i.e. Workcover, MAIB and some DVA). Private payment is also accepted.
Please note: It is possible that you may incur some ‘out of pocket’ expenses related to your treatment during your stay. These costs may relate to your doctors fees, pharmacy, pathology and/or radiology services. We suggest that you discuss this with your doctor regarding these fees.
Facilities & Services
For your convenience Allamanda Private Hospital provides the following services to patients and visitors:
Automatic Teller Machine
Is located on the ground Floor behind the coffee shop.
Coffee Shop
The coffee shop is located on the ground level adjacant to front reception.
Compliments, Comments & Complaints
Allamanda Private Hospital welcomes feedback from their patients. In a quest for providing the highest standard of hospital care, patient satisfaction surveys are conducted quarterly and the hospital conducts focus meetings with patients regularly. Customer satisfaction is one of our top priorities. Please contact staff if you have enquiries or suggestions.
Department of Veterans Affairs Liaison Officer
Allamanda Private Hospital has a DVA Liaison Officer who regularly visits DVA patients. Please don’t hesitate to contact staff to arrange a visit.
Electrical Appliances
Patients are requested not to bring any electrical appliances into hospital with them in order to protect the electricity supply to our facility.
Emergency Procedures
In the event of an emergency, remain in your room until a staff member advises what to do. All staff are trained in emergency procedures. Please follow their directions.
Finance
For self insured patients or patients with out of pocket expenses, patients are required to pay their estimated cost of stay on admission. Payment may be made by Cash, EFTPOS, Visa, Mastercard or American Express.
Flowers
Please check with staff on the ward prior to giving flowers to the patient as sometimes for certain reasons flowers may not be appropriate. Vases are available in the wards; please ask the nursing staff for assistance. Flowers are not allowed in the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital.
Hairdresser
A visiting Hairdresser is available for your convenience. Please ask the nursing staff to organise an appointment for you.
Housekeeping
All rooms are cleaned daily. Please do not hesitate to contact staff if you have any concerns regarding any aspect of the cleaning.
Interpreter
Our staff are able to arrange an interpreter service if required.
Justice of the Peace
The services of a JP are available to the hospital on request. Nursing staff are not authorised to witness patient documents.
Laundry
It is advisable to arrange for a relative or friend to do your personal laundry. A same day external laundry service is available at a fee. If you require this service, you can obtain details from the staff.
Mail
Incoming mail will be delivered to your room daily. Outgoing mail (stamped) may be handed to the ward clerk or left at front reception on the ground floor and will be posted daily. Our postal address is:
Allamanda Private Hospital
Attention: Patients Name (ward if known)
PO Box 927
SOUTHPORT QLD 4215
Meals
Allamanda Private Hospital has chefs and dietary staff who specialise in planning and preparing meals that are nutritious and tasty, incorporating fresh ingredients into a wide choice of meals available daily.
At times your doctor may order a special diet for you or you may have had surgery, which may require you to have a special diet. Or you have specific dietary requirements please notify our nursing staff at the time of your admission so that our Chef in consultation with a dietician can make the necessary arrangements for you.
We are able to provide wine or beer with your meals with your Doctors permission. Please be advised that alcohol is not to be brought into the hospital.
Medications
All of your current medications and repeat prescriptions should be brought into hospital with you. Any medications, which are not brought in at the time of admission, can be supplied by the hospital but this will be an additional cost to you.
Mobile Phones
Must be switched off within all hospital buildings. They may be used in the courtyard and foyer areas.
Newspapers and Magazines
May be purchased from the coffee shop or from the patient comfort trolley.
Parking
Parking for patients and visitors is available in the carpark off Spendelove Street. A number of 2-hour car parking bays are available surrounding the hospital. Please note: Parking bays allocated to Doctors and Ambulances are not available for patient or visitor parking. Cars parked in disabled car spaces must display a valid permit. Drop off can occur at Reception or at the Emergency Care Centre (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
Pastoral Care
Religious faith representatives and clergy from all denominations may be contacted though the nursing staff who will arrange a visit for you. You and your visitors are welcome to visit the Gold Coast Hospital Chapel, which is opposite Allamanda Private Hospital in Queen Street.
Pharmacy
On admission to hospital, please ensure you provide your Health Concession Card, Safety Net and Medicare details to staff, so they can advise the pharmacy of your details. The pharmacy also has a selection of toiletries and gifts for purchase.
Privacy Act
Healthscope respects and upholds your rights to privacy and protection under the National Privacy Act 1988. Your personal details are safeguarded ensuing confidentiality is respected and information is stored securely.
Public Transport
Surfside Bus Service stops outside the Gold Coast Hospital. The bus timetable is available from Surfside Bus Service on 13 12 30 or visit www.translink.com.au.
Smoking Policy
All Healthscope facilities are strictly non-smoking. We ask that you and your visitors respect the health of others and refrain from smoking within our facilities.
Telephones
A telephone is provided at each bedside for your convenience and is available for both local and STD calls. Charges will apply to STD calls therefore it is advisable to check with the switchboard operator prior to making the call.
A public telephone is situated at the top of the stairs at reception.
Televisions
Are located next to each bed. The device required to operate the TV differs from ward to ward therefore this will be explained to you upon arrival to your room.
Valuables
Please do not bring any valuables to the hospital. We are unable to accept responsibility for any loss; therefore it is advisable that only a small amount of cash be kept for incidentals. Valuables can include money, credit cards, jewellery and the like.
Visiting Hours & Rest Periods
General Wards – 10.00am to 8.00pm
Intensive Care – 10.00am to 2.00pm and 4.00pm to 8.00pm
We encourage a rest period for all patients between 1.00pm and 3.00pm daily, this rest is important to the patients recovery. Please bear in mind the patient’s state of health and that of any other patients sharing the room. Often brief visits with fewer people are better. An adult must closely supervise visiting children at all times.
Intensive Care Unit – all visitors must report to the Nurses Station prior to visiting. There is a limit of 2 visitors at a time in the ICU and please check with the nurse regarding children visiting.
Volunteers
Our volunteers make a highly valued contribution to our healthcare facility. They assist staff in greeting and transferring patients, as well as assisting with flowers or visiting patients.
For other services and information, please refer to the Patient Information Guide, which is located in each bedside draw.
Patient Feedback
Allamanda Private Hospital welcomes feedback, therefore if you have any queries or suggestions please do not hesitate to discuss them with our staff or written communication can be forwarded to:
The General Manager
PO Box 927
SOUTHPORT QLD 4215
In the quest for providing the highest standard of hospital care, patient satisfaction surveys are conducted quarterly and the hospital conducts focus meetings regularly to aid this endeavour.