What you'll need to do before you leave hospital
When you're preparing to come to hospital, it's a good idea to think about any issue that may arise when you return home too.
Think ahead
- Driving — in most cases, you will not be able to drive home by yourself. Ask a family member or friend to drive you home.
- Help at home — depending on the procedure you've had, you may need assistance with your daily living activities once you are home. Consider whether you'll need extra support for meal preparation, shopping, follow-up medical appointments and personal care. Don't be afraid to ask others for help during your recovery.
- Stock up on supplies — plan for your recovery in advance. Stock up on frozen meals and ensure you have essential supplies at home.
Before you leave hospital, one of our friendly staff members will meet with you to discuss your account and any outstanding payments.
In most cases, people pay their account when they are admitted to hospital. However, there may be additional fees incurred during your stay.
You will be asked to pay any outstanding fees before you leave.
If you have any questions about your account or your healthcare after you have left hospital, phone +61 (2) 9812 3000 and ask to be transferred to the relevant ward. You can also contact your medical specialist or GP directly.
After you arrive, and during your stay, we will communicate with you about your discharge.
We want to ensure your discharge is well coordinated and planned in advance.
Throughout your hospital stay, your doctors and nurses will give you an indication of what they anticipate — whether that is you being able to go home or to rehabilitation.
On the day of your discharge, you will need to speak to your nurse to go through your:
- discharge paperwork
- medications
- follow-up plans.
If you don’t understand something, including changes to your medications, please ask your nurse or someone in your care team for help.
When your doctor has approved your discharge, we will commence planning for your return home.
If you are a day-stay patient, you will rest in the recovery area until your doctor or nurse sees you and approves your discharge.
You must have someone to escort you home.
If you are an inpatient, discharge time is usually 9am.
Please arrange to be picked up at this time.
If you have had a general anaesthetic or sedation, please ensure you have a responsible adult accompanying you home as you will not be allowed to drive.
We strongly suggest that you have someone to stay with you overnight when you return home.
In the first 24 hours after surgery, you should not:
- drive a motor vehicle after having a general anaesthetic or pain procedure
- use any machinery or tools
- make important decisions (eg sign legal documents)
- drink alcohol
- do anything that requires a high level of alertness or coordination.
In the first 24 hours after your procedure, you should expect to 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 recommended by your doctor.
Following anaesthetics, some people can experience nausea, which may progress to vomiting. If this happens, take small and frequent sips of water. If the problem does not resolve itself, contact your doctor.
If you have excessive pain, swelling or headaches or are generally concerned about your condition, contact your doctor.