Information for Day Patients of The Memorial Hospital

 

Admission

Your admission to hospital is arranged by your doctor and an admission pack will be provided to you. The admission form should be completed and returned to the hospital as soon as possible.

On the day of your admission, please report to the reception desk in the main foyer. Confirmation of your admission time should be received on the business day prior to your admission.

Paediatric Patients

Please feel free to bring in your child's favourite food, there are microwave facilities in the ward.

If your child requires formula milk you will also need to bring this with you.

Please be aware that the inpatient children's facility may include a 4 bed shared area and we ask that you and your family be sensitive to the fasting requirements of other children.

You can go into theatre with your child until they are asleep.


Anaesthetic Assessment

Your surgeon will advise you of the arrangements to see your anaesthetist.


Fasting & Smoking

Please follow your doctors instructions in regards to fasting and smoking.


Dietary Requirements

Sandwiches and drinks are provided upon recovery. Please advise if you have special dietary needs.


Clothing

Dress sensibly, be comfortable, avoid high heels, make-up or nail polish.

Please leave your jewellery at home.

You will not need sleeping attire but may like to bring your own dressing gown. Depending on the procedure, cotton only briefs may be worn.
 

Medication

Please bring with you any prescribed medication in its original packaging and give it to the ward staff upon admission.

Your medication will be given to you by the nursing staff as ordered by your doctor.

Any unused medication will be returned to you upon discharge. Please ask your doctor if you should take your regular medication on the morning of surgery. In the interest of safety, please do not keep any medication in your locker or on your person.


Valuables

Patients are strongly advised not to bring valuables, jewellery or excessive sums of money to hospital. The hospital does not accept responsibility for loss or damage to personal property. A secure facility is available on request.

 

AFTER YOUR PROCEDURE


Discharge

Patients must have a responsible adult accompany them home and stay with them overnight after discharge. Please make arrangements for a friend/relative to phone the hospital approximately two hours after your admission time to find out the time of discharge.

It is also recommended that in the first 24 hours after surgery, you do not:

  • Use any dangerous machinery and tools
  • Sign any legal documents
  • Drink alcohol
  • Do anything which requires coordination and/or a high level of alertness
  • Drive a motor vehicle. Motor vehicle insurance policies may be void in the event of an accident.

 

 

Pain

In the first 24 hours, you may have some discomfort. As a result of the anaesthetic, you may also suffer from a sore throat, headache and general aches and pains. Take pain relief as suggested by your doctor and in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Do not take aspirin as a painkiller, as this can cause bleeding. If you have excessive unrelieved pain, swelling or headaches or are generally concerned about your condition, please seek medical attention.


Dizziness/Vagueness

You may find that you are dizzy following your procedure and again much of this is due to the medications you received while in hospital. While you are feeling this way, you must be careful and the following suggestions may be of some use to you during this period: 

  • When rising after you have been lying down, sit up slowly on the edge of the bed
  • After a short period if you do not feel dizzy, stand slowly
  • Walk at a slow pace and do not stand or walk for a prolonged period
  • If at any time you do feel dizzy, ensure you sit or lay down


Diet

Following an anaesthetic, you may feel sick, which may progress to vomiting. If this happens, take small frequent sips of water and call your doctor if it does not resolve after a reasonable period of time.

PLEASE NOTE: These instructions are not a substitute for medical care and are only intended as a general guide.

 

 

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