Preparing for your stay

When you arrive at Balmain Hospital, your care team will ask you for some information about you and your family, loved ones or carer so we can help plan your care and identify what you need during your stay and later when you leave the hospital.

Your care team includes the medical team and a range of allied health and nursing professionals who will be involved in your rehabilitation. 

Some of the questions you will be asked are: 

• Do you live alone? 
• Are you worried about how things at home will be managed while you are in hospital? 
• Do you have any help at home now? 
• Do you think you will need any extra help after your stay in hospital? 
• What different types of medication do you take? 

During your stay you will receive therapy on the ward and set goals with your therapists. Each week all of the clinicians involved in your care collaborate to help you meet your goals.  

You will also be given an estimate of when you will be ready to go home. This will help you and your family or carer to prepare for your return home. 

What should I bring with me?

At Balmain Hospital, we encourage all patients to get up, get dressed and get moving to encourage their recovery. To help us, we ask that you or your family/carer bring in the following: 

• Day clothes 
• Pyjamas 
• Underwear 
• Sensible footwear 
• Toiletries (for example toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush or comb, shaver)
• Please label all belongings clearly and leave valuables at home

Being in hospital can be a difficult time for some people. It can sometimes cause confusion and stress. You may wish to bring items to keep busy, such as a music device, books or magazines. It can also help to bring any personal items that are comforting for you or your loved one, such as photos. Please remember that personal belongings are the responsibility of the patients and families or carers and we encourage you to leave any valuable items at home. 

During Your Stay

We want you and your support person to be involved in decisions about your care.  We encourage you and your support person to ask questions. You can request to speak with your medical, nursing, or allied health teams at any time during your stay.
 

REACH

If you are worried about a recent change in your condition or someone you care for, you can use REACH to escalate your concerns if no one seems to be noticing.
Find out more

Free Wi-Fi

We offer free guest Wi-Fi internet to all patients and visitors.

To connect, go to the Wi-Fi settings of your device and select "SLHD-Guest" 

Agree to the terms and conditions in your browser. You will be automatically connected.

Please note, limits and usage conditions apply.

Interpreter Services

We provide free and professional face to face and telephone interpreting services within our hospital. These services are available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Interpreters are available in most community languages, as well as Auslan. Please let our staff know if you require an interpreter.

Going home

It is important that once you or your loved one leave hospital, you continue to get healthcare and support in the community. Discharge planning is a process that helps us understand what you need once you leave the hospital.  

When does discharge planning start? 

Discharge planning commences as soon as you arrive to the hospital. Our team will speak with you about your goals of care and discuss any questions or concerns you may have about leaving hospital.  

What is discharge planning? 

Discharge planning Involves the patient, the carer, the family, or person responsible and members of the care team, Including medical staff, nursing staff and allied health therapists. Part of discharge planning involves discussing ongoing outpatient therapy and services that may help with your recovery. 

It is important you and/or your carer/family, discuss any concerns with members of your treating team as soon as possible, so they can help you plan. Information you may want to discuss may include your expected care needs after leaving the hospital, support services you may need after you leave hospital, what the home environment is like (for example, lots of stairs) and any concerns you have about returning to your home, equipment you may need and transport home from hospital. 

Equipment Loan Pool

The Equipment Lending Pool has a range of low cost items that are available for a short term loan of three months. Patients from all facilities in the Sydney Local Health District can access this pool with a prescription.

The Equipment lending pool also has a selection of high cost equipment (such as hospital beds, pressure mattresses and hoists) that can be prescribed by clinicians working in the Sydney Local Health District. To access this equipment, the client needs to be a patient discharged from hospital or a palliative care client. The staff at the Equipment Lending Pool need 24 hours notice to arrange delivery of this equipment and delivery does not occur on the weekends.

The Equipment Lending Pool also manages the Home Oxygen Service. Patients from facilities in the Sydney Local Health District can access this pool with a prescription. Requests need to be sent before 12pm for next day delivery and delivery does not occur on the weekends.

Important information on the day of discharge 

The expected discharge time is at 10am. Early discharge allows patients and their families time to settle back in once they leave hospital. It is important you organise how you are going home before the day of discharge. If you are unaware of when you should be leaving the hospital, your care team can provide you with an estimated date of discharge to plan towards. 

When you leave hospital, you will receive a discharge summary which will include a list of follow up appointments. You will also receive a supply of your medications, usually for three days. We encourage you to make an appointment to see your GP within that period for review and continuation scripts. Please make sure you have all your personal belongings, a discharge letter, all current medications, and any follow-up appointments with you before you leave the hospital. 

For patients leaving rehabilitation, you will be provided with a follow up appointment with your rehabilitation physician at the Rehab Clinics at RPA on level 4 of the QE2 building. 

Concerns after discharge 

Once you leave hospital, if you have any concerns about your progress, please discuss with your GP. If you require any urgent care or if it is an emergency, please go to your local emergency department, or call Triple Zero (000).