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PATIENT INFORMATIONWe can help:Private patientsIf you smoke, please inform your care team andalso consider whether this is a good time to quitsmoking.If you choose to use your private health insuranceat Calvary Mater Newcastle you will be entitled tothe following:If you would like to quit smoking, wecan help:A hospital stay provides you with different routinesand extensive peer support that can help youbreak your smoking habits and start to copewithout cigarettes.While you are a patient at Calvary MaterNewcastle, Nicotine Replacement Therapy andother forms of support can be provided to helpyou stop smoking.We also offer ongoing support and assistanceafter you leave the hospital.Fees and ChargesCalvary Mater Newcastle is part of Australia’spublic health care system and offers hospitalcare to any Australian resident under Medicarearrangements.Public patientsUnder Medicare you can be treated as a publicpatient, at no charge, by a doctor appointed bythe hospital. You can choose to be treated as apublic patient even if you are privately insured. No Health Fund Excess or Co-payment 100% coverage on all of your inpatient serviceaccounts (excluding self-insured) Your choice of doctor All accounts processed for you by ourSimplified Billing Service Access to single room accommodation (ifavailable)Calvary Mater Newcastle is a registered SimplifiedBilling Agent with the Department of HumanServices (Medicare) and will process your inpatientservice accounts through Medicare and yourprivate health fund on your behalf. These accountsinclude: hospital doctors, pathology, x-ray andsome visiting medical officer accounts.It is important that you understand that if youpresent to the Emergency Department and areadmitted, that you can request to be classifiedas a private patient and can be transferred to thecare of the doctor of your choice if he/she hasadmitting privileges to the hospital. This can occurafter your admission under the specialist of theday on the admitting emergency roster. You mayalso request transfer to a private hospital. The staffare obliged to facilitate this for you.If you require further information about usingyour private health insurance, please contact theManager Revenue Services on 02 4014 4721during business hours.www.calvarycare.org.au9

PATIENT INFORMATION10www.calvarycare.org.au

PATIENT INFORMATIONwww.calvarycare.org.au11

PATIENT INFORMATIONWhile You are in HospitalParking and TransportImportant items you should bring to hospitalinclude:Parking All your medications in their original, labelledcontainers, including over the counter andcomplementary and alternative therapies An up-to-date list of all of the medicationsyou’re currently taking Medicare card (if you have one) Health care, pension or concession card (if youhave one) Health fund details (if you have privateinsurance) Any relevant doctors’ letters, reports orconsent forms Any x-rays or other medical images General Practitioner’s (GP) contact detailsincluding name, address and contact number Physical and mobility aids Nightwear, dressing gown, non-slip slippers,comfortable clothes and toiletries A letter of WorkCover approval, Third Party orPublic Liability claims (if applicable) A small amount of money for newspapers andincidentals and a pen to fill out menusValuables and personalbelongingsCalvary Mater Newcastle has three car parksavailable for patient use. All parking areas have afee payable on exit with change. Please note CarPark P2 (accessed via Edith Street) is dedicatedcar parking for patients and visitors. Allocateddisabled parks are available in all patient andvisitor car parks.The hospital does not accept responsibility for anyloss or damage to cars or other property. You areadvised to take responsible security measures suchas locking your car and concealing or removingvaluables.Patient drop-offThere are patient set down and pick up areasat the Main Entrance, Platt Street Entrance,Melanoma Unit and Hospice at Calvary MaterNewcastle.Parking is not allowed in these locations, so pleasemove your vehicle after the patient has safelyarrived.Motorbike and bicycle parkingMotorbike parking bays and bicycle racks arelocated in Car Park P2 (accessed via Edith Street).Please ensure your bicycle is secured and does notcause access issues for other people.Please do not bring personal valuables, such asjewellery and large sums of money, to the hospital.Disability parkingWhile we make every effort to guard againstthe loss of property the hospital does not acceptresponsibility for stolen or lost items.Disability parking bays can be found in every carpark and are located closest to the pedestrianaccess ways.Any mobile phone or electrical items brought in tothe hospital are at your own risk.Please follow the disabled access signs to accessthe hospital.Arrangements for depositing cash and valuablesmay be made through the ward staff. A receiptwill be issued. Please note that deposited valuablescan only be returned during normal businesshours.If you are in the car park and need assistancegetting to or from the hospital, please call 024921 1211.12www.calvarycare.org.au

PATIENT INFORMATIONVeterans transportSome veteran patients may be eligible to havetransport arranged for them through theDepartment of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA). For furtherinformation contact the DVA:Regional callers: 1800 555 254Email: generalenquiries@dva.gov.auTransportTrain: The closest train station to Calvary MaterNewcastle is Waratah Train Station located onStation Street, Waratah. It is approximately 1.5kmfrom the hospital.Bus: Newcastle Buses frequently service CalvaryMater Newcastle on Edith, Maud and LornaStreets, Waratah. Further information can befound at: http://www.newcastlebuses.info/For assistance planning your travel arrangementsplease visit www.transportnsw.info or telephone131 500.Taxi servicesStaff at Calvary Mater Newcastle are able toarrange a taxi on request.Hospital Contact DetailsAddress:Corner of Edith and Platt Streets, Waratah NSW2298During Your StayConsentAs a current rule, no operation, procedure ortreatment may be undertaken without the consentof the patient or their nominated representative. Inaccordance with the NSW Health Patient Charterwe are committed to ensuring patients understandany proposed treatment including significant risksand alternatives.We must obtain patient consent before treatment,except in an emergency or where the law sayspatients must have treatment. If you are unableto consent we will require your nominatedrepresentative to do this for you. Please make sureyou return any forms required prior to surgery ortreatment where possible as this assists with youradmission. If you have any questions about yourplanned procedure please discuss these with yourdoctor in advance where possible.Information about your care andtreatmentPatients may nominate two persons who can becontacted if there are any concerns regardingyour progress and treatment. Patients shouldnominate just one contact person who can makeall enquiries to the hospital. This will assist us toensure your privacy. Information about a patient’slocation is available by calling 02 4921 1211 orthe ward number is available from staff.Postal Address:Accessing your medical recordCalvary Mater Newcastle,Locked Mail Bag 7,Hunter Region Mail Centre. NSW 2310You have a right to access your personalinformation, subject to some exceptionsallowed by law, and to request a change to yourinformation if you consider it inaccurate.Telephone: 02 4921 1211www.calvarymater.org.auIf you would like to access your personalinformation or medical records please contact thehospital’s Clinical Information Department,02 4014 3770 or speak to a member of staff.Please note, we may charge a fee for searching forand providing access to your information.www.calvarycare.org.au13

PATIENT INFORMATIONSecond medical opinionsYou have the right to ask for a second medicalopinion on your condition or treatment. Youshould discuss this in the first instance with yourtreating specialist. Should your doctor refuse torefer you for a second opinion please ask him/her to contact the Director of Medical Services, orcontact the Director of Medical Services yourself,or through a family member or friend.In a life threatening emergency it may not be safeto wait whilst a second opinion is sought. Thisshould be discussed with your specialist or thenurse in charge.REACHAre you concerned about a recent change in yourcondition or that of a loved one? Have you spoken to your nurse or doctorabout this change? Have your concerns been followed up? Are you still concerned?Ask your nurse for a ‘clinical review’ or dial 11666to call Switch for an emergency response. Stateyour ward and bed number.We know that you know yourself or your lovedone best.REACH out to us if you are concerned.Clinical handoverClinical handover is the transfer of responsibilityand accountability of patient care from one healthprofessional to another. This is an interactiveprocess, providing opportunities for input andquestions from all involved, including you.This should occur across shifts, across disciplines(for example medical officers, nurses and alliedhealth which includes physiotherapists, dietitians,social workers) and between care settings, forexample hospital to a nursing home or other agedcare facilities.As an inpatient, clinical handover occurs: Whenever there is a shift change Whenever there is a change in treating teams If you are transferred to another unit or facility14Clinical handover provides an opportunity for youand your family/carer to: Be actively involved in the decision makingprocess Be kept informed of care needs and proposedtreatments Discuss any concerns or issues with the healthcare team Be aware of discharge plans and yourproposed discharge dateThe nursing clinical handover occurs at eachchange of shift to ensure essential care needs andinformation is communicated to the next team.This information can include: Specific treatments such as medications due ata specific time Scheduled tests or treatment Results of treatment for example pain relief Anticipated needs such as assistance withmeals, mobilisation, wound care and fallspreventionPatient care boards and nurseroundingBy the bedside of every patient is a Patient CareBoard. These boards are a communication tool tohelp individualise your care and can help you handover important information back to the healthprofessionals caring for you. It also makes it easierfor you, the health care team and your family and/or carers, to plan and understand the care that isprovided to you on a daily basis.Nurses will also carry out patient rounding, whichis a system to keep you informed and involved inyour care. You can expect to see the nurses caringfor you several times during each shift.Identification bandOn admission you will be issued with anidentification band which you are required towear around your wrist for the duration of youradmission. Surgical patients will be required towear two bands.www.calvarycare.org.au

PATIENT INFORMATIONNurse call buttonLeaving the wardEach bedside is provided with a call button thatallows you to call for attention at any time. Yournurse will show you how to use this button.These buttons are also located in the toilets andbathrooms. It is necessary to press the button onlyonce because the call lights up a sign outside yourdoor and at the nurses’ station. Delay in responsemeans that the nurses are otherwise occupied. Beassured that your call will be answered as soon aspossible.Should you need to leave the ward or treatmentarea for any reason, please inform a member ofthe nursing staff before you go.Your SafetyWe strive to ensure that the hospital environmentis safe for our patients, visitors, contractors andstaff. It is important you feel safe physically,emotionally and culturally. You can help ensureyour own safety by talking to staff about yourneeds, and by following any specific directionsgiven to you by the staff or by particular signage.We ask that you report anything or anyone youregard as suspicious to staff.If you have any concerns regarding your safetyand welfare, please do not hesitate to speak tothe staff in your area.Allergies and adverse drugreactionsIt is vital that the medical and nursing staff areaware of any allergies from which you suffer.This includes foods, bites, stings and materials,for example iodine and lotions, in addition tomedications. If you do not tell the staff theymay not have any other way of gaining thisinformation and your health may suffer as aconsequence.Blood clotsWhen you are in hospital your risk of blood clotsforming is higher because you are not walkingas much as normal, due to illness, surgery or aninjury. This lack of movement stimulates the bloodto clot more easily. To prevent blood clots forminghospital staff will encourage you to exercise yourlegs, and the doctor may prescribe anti-clottingmedicines and stockings.www.calvarycare.org.auEmergency proceduresIn the event of a hospital emergency such asfire, an alarm will sound over the public addresssystem.We request that you and your visitors remain inyour ward/room and await instructions from thenursing staff.If you are not in your normal ward area pleasereport to the staff from the area nearest to you,they will take care of you. Do not use the lifts.Please do not attempt to return to your ward.Regular training is provided to all staff to ensurethat the correct response is initiated and carriedthrough. If you smell or observe a fire, pleasenotify a member of staff immediately.In order to maintain hospital safety and to practicethe emergency procedures, ‘mock emergencydrills’ are also carried out at random and withoutprior notice.Falls preventionDuring your admission to hospital nursing staff willassess your risk of having a fall.This assessment looks at your individual risk factorssuch as your vision, whether you had a previousfall/s, how you move around, any equipment/aidsyou may use, your medical condition, and the typeand number of medications you take.If you’re at risk of having a fall, your care team willdevelop a plan for you to follow to reduce yourrisk of falling whilst in hospital. This plan will bediscussed with you and/or your carer.This plan may include, for example, that you havesomeone with you when getting in and out ofyour bed or chair, or escort you to the bathroomand assist/supervise you to have a shower or usethe toilet. Your bed may also be located close tothe nurses station, you could be placed in a lowerbed and/or have someone sit with you at all times.15

PATIENT INFORMATIONThe staff may also make a referral to otherswho specialise in falls prevention such as aphysiotherapist and/or an occupational therapist,to assist with your care.4. Covering your mouth using a tissue or thecrook of your elbow will help prevent thespread of colds and influenza. Clean yourhands afterwards.If at any time you feel light headed, dizzy, or youhave trouble with walking or movement, pleasetell your care team. Keep the call bell withineasy reach and ring early if you need assistance.Remember “Call, don’t fall.”5. Cover any wounds or abrasions with freshclean dressings prior to coming to or beforemoving around the hospital when you’re aninpatient.It may be recommended that you use a wheelchairif visitors want to take you off the ward.The majority of our hard floors have a non-slippolish applied to them to minimise the possibilityof falls. It is important to remember that when youare walking around the hospital you must wearsupportive shoes, slippers or non-slip socks thatfit well. The hospital can provide you with rubbersoled socks to help prevent you from falling.Scuffs, ill-fitting slippers and thongs are not safe.If you use a walking aid, you need to continue todo so.If you are worried about falling either in hospitalor when you return home, please talk to the staffabout your concerns.Infection controlThe control of infection within the hospital is ofvital importance. Staff, patients and visitors canassist in controlling the spread of infection by:6. Inform your doctor if you may have aninfection or if you have been identifiedas carrying a multi-resistant organism, forexample Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcusaureus (Staph) infection.7. Avoid touching wounds, bandages, drips,drains and catheters. Your nurse is best toattend to these.8. Ask health care workers to clean their handsbefore touching you and ask everyone torefrain from sitting on your bed.9. Discouraging visitors/relatives from bringing inhigh risk foods, for example food that requiresre-heating, dairy products, cut up fruits andvegetables, for example coleslaw, fruit salad,raw and deli meats, home prepared juices, rawfish, for example sushi with raw fish, shellfish.10. Not storing high risk or open food products inthe ward kitchenette refrigerators. N.B. Anyfood left in the kitchenette refrigerators will bediscarded by staff.1. Keeping our hands clean is one of the bestways to stop the spread of germs, especiallybefore eating, after toileting and after blowingyour nose.2. Ask your visitors to clean their hands withhand rub when they come to visit and onleaving. Clean hands prevent the transfer ofbacteria and viruses. Hand rub is located atthe entry of every room. Patients in intensivecare, haematology and oncology wards areespecially at a higher risk of contractinginfections.3. Ask your visitors to delay their visit if they areunwell to reduce the risk of spreading flu likeillnesses or gastroenteritis to already unwellpeople. Suggest they phone you instead.16www.calvarycare.org.au

PATIENT INFORMATIONPressure injury preventionPressure injuries (also known as bed sores) can develop most commonly on bony areas of the body. This ismore likely to happen if you spend more time lying in bed or sitting in a chair when you are unwell.Below are some hints to prevent pressure injuries happening.www.calvarycare.org.au17

PATIENT INFORMATIONSafe moving programSecurityOne of the continual improvements to patientcare you will find during your stay is the ‘SafeMoving’ program. While you are in our care, thestaff will use a number of techniques and types ofequipment for moving/lifting you as the patient, toensure the safety of both the staff and patients.Our security officers are at the hospital at all timesand conduct regular patrols.Staff may also offer instruction on differing selfhelp techniques to assist you to maintain yourown independence and mobility. We would askthat you listen to

About Calvary Mater Newcastle Calvary Mater Newcastle is a public hospital in Newcastle, NSW, and is the major cancer care centre for the Hunter New England Local Health District, delivering more than 320,000 occasions of outpatient services and in excess of 16,000 inpatient treatments per year. Calvary Mater