Preadmission

Checking your health fund cover

Please contact your health fund to confirm your cover as soon as possible. Depending on your insurer and your level of cover, you may have out-of-pocket expenses (such as excess or co-payment). All costs need to be paid prior to admission.

Medications

Ask your doctor about your medications and what to take before and during your hospital stay.

Confirming your admission time

You will be sent a text message on the business day prior to your admission with information about your admission time and fasting requirements (if applicable). If you have not been contacted by 4:30pm, please call 02 6766 1955.

Please check in with the reception in the main foyer at the Dean Street Entrance at the time indicated by the hospital, and you will be directed to your admission area.

The hospital staff will inform you of the scheduled time for your surgery and subsequent ‘nil by mouth’ time. This means nothing to eat or drink, including water, prior to your operation.

What to bring

• Correspondence from your doctor(s)
• Past medical history from your GP
• List of your current medications and dosage information
• Medication for the treatment of diabetes
• X-rays and test results relevant to your procedure
• Health fund details and payment for any outstanding fees due on admission
• Medicare Card, Pension Card or other concession cards such as Veterans’ Affairs Entitlement Card Health fund details. (Please confirm your private health insurance status with your health fund)

Medications

You are requested to bring all current medications with you in their original packaging. These will be locked in your bedside cabinet and made available for use during your stay with us. For your safety, please inform nursing staff about any medication you are currently taking. This includes any herbal medications.

Valuables

We strongly recommend that you do not bring any valuables to hospital. We do not accept responsibility for patient’s valuables.

Smoke-free environment

Tamara Private Hospital, including buildings and grounds is smoke-free.

Private Rooms

All rooms at Tamara Private are private rooms.

Wifi

Wifi is available throughout the hospital. See any of our reception desks for login details.

Meal Service

You will receive a menu to complete daily to take your order for meals the following day. The majority of meals have been created to meet the specific needs of patients in a healthcare environment and are therefore lower in fat and salt content.

If you have special dietary needs, you can discuss these with our staff.

Admission process

You will be admitted in our day of surgery pre-op area, then taken through to our theatre suite. After your operation, you will spend time in Recovery and then be transferred to the Day of Surgery post op to fully recuperate. The length of time from admission to discharge depends on the type of operation but is usually about 4-6 hours. Please check with nursing staff for more details.

Visitors

The Day of Surgery Unit requests that visitors be limited to one family member or friend. Visitors are not permitted in Recovery.

You must arrange for someone to drive you or accompany you home in a taxi.

Prior to your discharge you will be given instructions to follow when you get home. Please clarify any concerns or questions about your post procedure care before you leave. At home, if you have any concerns, please contact your doctor or general practitioner. After hours, please contact your nearest hospital emergency department.

The major effects of your anaesthetic or sedation wear off quickly, however minor effects on memory, balance and muscle function may persist for some hours. These effects vary from person to person and are not individually predictable.

• You will be escorted from Day of Surgery Unit to the reception area for collection
• You must be accompanied by a relative or friend from Tamara to home and it is strongly advised that an adult stay with you overnight following discharge.
• You should not operate machinery, schedule any important meetings or sign legal papers for 24 hours.

Before you leave hospital, please make sure you have the following:

• a discharge letter
• all personal belongings
• all x-rays and/or prescriptions, if applicable

The discharge time is 10:00am. Please arrange your transport home by 10:00am.

Important information on discharge day

Before you leave hospital, please make sure you have the following:

• a discharge letter
• all personal belongings
• all current medications
• made any necessary follow-up appointments
• all x-rays and scans

On your way out, please see reception staff.

Discharge planning services

We have a team of staff to help you plan your discharge. The team can assist you plan for your discharge and, if required, rehabilitation.

Post-discharge care

If you have any concerns about your progress when you return home, please contact your GP or referring specialist.

After hours, please contact your nearest hospital emergency department.

ATM and Newsagent

The nearest ATM and newsagency is located at Northgate Tamworth Shopping Centre, 1 Piper Street Tamworth, a short walk from the hospital.

Pharmacy

There is no onsite pharmacy at Tamara Private Hospital. The Centre Pharmacy is located at Northgate Tamworth Shopping Centre, 1 Piper Street Tamworth.

Pipers Cafe

Pipers Cafe is located at the Piper Street entrance and offers indoor and outdoor courtyard dining.

Pipers Cafe supply a selection of fresh sandwiches, pastries, quiches and salads as well as coffee and drinks. Please let the staff know if you have any special dietary requirements.

Taxi service

A free call taxi phone is located at the hospital location.