This information is for patients who will stay in hospital overnight. It explains the process from arrival to departure, as well as the services and support you will be offered during and after your stay.
What do I need to do before I am admitted?
You may be asked to attend a consultation before your stay in hospital. This will take place in the Preoperative Investigation, Education & Research (PIER Centre).
During this consultation you will meet members of your care team who will ask you questions about your health and lifestyle, as well as conduct a physical examination and necessary tests. For your safety, please tell your nurse if you have any allergies such as specific foods, medications or dressings.
Confirming your admission
You will receive a phone call or letter to let you know when we expect you to come to hospital to be admitted. It is very important that you ring St Vincent's to confirm that you are able to come in on the day advised. Please phone the hospital on (03) 9288 2211 and you will be transferred to the appropriate area.
Due to the heavy demand for hospital treatment, if you do not confirm the date we may have to cancel your admission.
What do I need to bring to hospital?
Please bring with you the following important items. Use this check list to help you:
- Medicare Card
- Health Fund Membership details, if you are a member of a health fund
- Health Care Card, if you are eligible for healthcare assistance
- If you are eligible for WorkCover or you are being admitted to hospital following a road accident, we require full details to ensure that your claim is processed promptly
- Your Veteran's Gold Card, if applicable
- Current x-rays
During your stay in hospital you will need:
- Pyjamas or night dress
- Dressing gown
- Slippers
- Toiletries (including tissues)
- Any medication that you are taking (please give this to your nurse upon admission)
- Tracksuit or comfortable clothes
- Money for television and phone
You may also like to bring items such as books, magazines, craft work, games, cards, pens and pencils.
A note on personal items
To prevent losing your belongings it's a good idea to only bring essential items for your stay. We suggest that you clearly label your belongings with your full name.
If you are admitted via Emergency, we advise that you arrange to have valuables taken home.
Dentures
If you wear dentures, please ask one of the nursing team to supply you with a labelled denture cup for storage. We recommend that you do not wrap dentures in tissue or place them under a pillow as your dentures may get lost or damaged.
Electrical appliances
For your safety, you are not able to use personal electrical appliances such as hair-dryers, radios or television sets unless they have been tested for safety by the hospital's Medical Engineering department. Please tell the Care Centre staff about any appliances you have brought with you.
When do I have to arrive if I'm having surgery?
If you are having surgery, it is most likely that you will be asked to come to hospital on the day of your surgery. In the past, surgery patients were admitted the day before their surgery. This now occurs rarely and would only happen if your care team judged it medically necessary.
How do I get to the hospital?
Please read our Parking and transport page.
Where do I go when I arrive?
Enter the Hospital through the main entrance to the Inpatient Services Building, located in Princes Street, off Nicholson Street. Please refer to the St Vincent's Fitzroy campus map.
Take the lift to the floor of your particular Care Centre. If you are unsure about which floor you need to go to, please ask at the main reception located in the ground floor foyer.
You will be greeted at the Care Centre reception desk where our friendly staff will help you to get settled.
What is the accommodation like?
St Vincent's has a range of room sizes. Single rooms are mainly used for the very sickest patients, so it would be unusual for you to have a room to yourself. Most rooms are two or four bed wards. The hospital is generally very full so you may have to stay in a mixed sex ward. We ask that you understand this necessity.
Where can my family and friends stay?
Please read the Accommodation for patients and relatives page.
When can I have visitors?
Please read the Visiting hours page.
How long will I stay in hospital?
The number of days you spend in hospital depends on many factors, including your age, general health and the reason for your admission. Please ask your doctor or nurse for an expected discharge date so that you can arrange transport home.
What services are available?
Phones and television
St Vincent's phone and television system, VinTel, operates on a pre-paid system. This service offers you a direct dial-in telephone number so that your family and friends can ring you, and access to a range of TV stations, including pay TV. You will be given information on setting up your VinTel account when you are admitted to the hospital. St Vincent's encourages your family or visitors to help you with this.
Mobile phones
To prevent interference with medical equipment, please keep mobile phones switched off while you are inside the hospital.
Kitchen facilities
For your convenience tea and coffee making facilities are available in every Care Centre. A staff member will tell you where the kitchen is located. The patient kitchen also has fridge and microwave facilities.
Laundry
Please arrange for family or friends to wash your personal clothing. Please tell a staff member if this is not possible and they will make other arrangements.
Receiving mail
Mail is delivered to patients every working day and should be addressed to:
Patient's name
Floor level (if known)
Inpatient Services Building
St Vincent's
PO Box 2900
Fitzroy VIC 3065
Newspapers and magazines
A newspaper trolley visits Care Centres each day. Daily newspapers and a range of magazines are available.
Other services
Please read the Shops and services page.
What happens when I leave the hospital?
The hospital aims to discharge patients by 10.00am each day. Arrangements for your safe and timely discharge will begin from when you enter the hospital. Please let staff know any factors that will affect your plans.
Medication
If you require medication when you go home, a limited amount will be supplied from the hospital's pharmacy. Please contact your local doctor if you require further supplies.
Medical aids and appliances
A member of your care team will arrange any medical aids or appliances that you need. Staff will let you know if there are any additional costs for this equipment.
Is there on-going care to help me recuperate?
You may be transferred from an inpatient bed to the Rehabilitation Care Centre where staff will work with you to help you gain as much independence as possible.
Some patients may also go home and receive care from St Vincent's at Home.
St Vincent's covers a vast range of medical and surgical specialties. Medical or nursing staff may also refer you, if they think it appropriate, to services known as allied health, such as:
- Physiotherapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Social Work
- Prosthetics and Orthotics
- Speech Pathology
- Nutrition
- Podiatry