A Guide to Your Stay at Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital 2021 Please Leave This for the Next Patient (Do Not Remove)

A guide to your stay at Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital 2021 Please leave this for the next patient (do not remove)

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2 Contents Welcome 4 Paperwork 16 A message from the General X-rays and scans 16 Manager 4 While you are in hospital 16 Acknowledgement of Country 6 Are you worried about your About Sydney and Sydney Eye loved one in hospital? 18 Hospital 6 Services available on the ward 20 Finding your way at Sydney and In the event of a fire or an Sydney Eye Hospital 7 emergency 20 Privacy and confidentiality 7 Facilities in the area 21 Collecting information 7 Accommodation options 22 Your medical records 7 Caring for someone who is in How to access your medical hospital 23 records 7 Private and public patients 24 Keeping everyone safe during Consent 24 COVID-19 times 8 Falls 25 Patients with special needs 9 Nil by mouth 25 Smoking 10 Pressure injury 25 Security 10 Overseas patients 25 Who will treat me in hospital? 10 Infection prevention and control, Our teams 10 and hand hygiene 25 Students 10 Advance care planning 28 Hospital services 11 Giving feedback 28 Departments in the hospital 11 Leaving hospital 29 Emergency Department 11 Getting home 29 Pharmacy 12 Follow-up visits with your doctor 29 Medical Imaging 12 Donating your organs and tissues 30 Social Work 15 Local community services Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer 15 for your information 38 What to bring to hospital 15

3 Welcome Our approach to patient care centres on our CORE values. We understand spending time in These values are those of hospital may be challenging. We collaboration, openness, respect hope this information will help and empowerment. We encourage make your stay as comfortable as you to ask questions of our staff possible. before, during and after your stay If you have any questions after in hospital. We hope you have a reading this information, please feel positive experience with us, and we free to ask one of our staff. wish you a speedy recovery. Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital, A message from the which has gained accreditation General Manager against the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards, On behalf of the management aims to provide you and your loved and staff from the South Eastern ones with answers to some of the Sydney Local Health District, questions that you may have about I welcome you to Sydney and your care and visit to hospital. Sydney Eye Hospital. Sydney Hospital is Australia’s first hospital A hospital visit can be a worrying and dates back to the arrival of the time, even more so when you are First Fleet in 1788, and has been far away from your family and located at the present site since friends. 1811. The Sydney Eye Hospital If you have any questions about the started at Millers Point in 1882 hospital or your care, please ask and moved to Woolloomooloo in one of our staff. They will be happy 1922. In 1996 Sydney Eye Hospital to help you. relocated to Macquarie Street to form the Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital. This hospital has a long and prestigious history, delivering outstanding care and outcomes to patients for over 200 years. Jennie Barry, General Manager

Acknowledgement of II Porcellino, our silent volunteer Country At the front of the hospital on We acknowledge Sydney and Macquarie Street, is a bronze Sydney Eye Hospital is situated statue of a wild boar. His name is on land traditionally owned by the II Porcellino, which means ‘little Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. pig’ in Italian. The statue is a copy We pay our respects to their Elders of the original II Porcellino from of the past, of the present and Florence in Italy, which was made those of the future. over 500 years ago. Marchessa Torrigian gave the About Sydney and statue to the hospital in memory Sydney Eye Hospital of her father and brother, who Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital were both renowned surgeons at offers quality healthcare to local the hospital. She saved for seven residents, workers, visitors and years to buy II Porcellino. Her wish tourists. The hospital specialises in was for him to raise money for hand surgery and ophthalmology. the hospital and to make children Patients come from all over New happy. People from all over the South Wales (NSW) to access world have stood in front of the these services. statue, rubbed his nose and made a wish. People also drop coins in Medical services include: his basket and take photographs • a 24-hour Emergency with him. Department; • outpatient departments; • eye and hand surgery; and • treatment and care in general medicine (including drug and alcohol). The hospital also has a Day Procedure Unit that looks after patients both before and after surgery.

6 The hospital has a legal obligation Finding your way at to keep all patient information for Sydney and Sydney Eye seven years. We have appropriate Hospital ways to protect your information To help you find your way to from getting lost. We also protect the main entrance doors of the your information from unauthorised hospital, scan this QR code with access. your phone. If you do not want us to collect Or click on this link information about you, you need if you are using a to tell us. We will then discuss with digital version of the you any consequences this may booklet. have on your healthcare.

Privacy and Your medical records confidentiality We only use your medical information to help with your NSW Health has a commitment treatment. We may need to send to keeping patient information relevant information to your family private. Staff follow the Health doctor or your specialist doctor. Records and Information Privacy We may also need to send your Act 2002. They also abide by the medical records to the ambulance NSW Health Privacy Policy and service or another hospital. the Code of Conduct.

Collecting information How to access your medical records We collect your personal information so that we can provide You can ask to see all your medical appropriate care and treatment for records. To see your records, you you. We only collect information need to apply in writing, show that is important and necessary identification and pay a fee. for your care. You can contact the Medical Records Department for more information on (02) 9382 7339.

7 Please tell the hospital if you think This can include: any entries are incorrect. • taking your temperature; We make sure that we keep your • asking you some questions about health information confidential. your health; and You can read about how we keep • asking you if you have recently your health information private visited a high-risk area. by using the link or the QR code We will ask you to use hand below. The code or link will take sanitiser on arrival. We follow you to the Information and Privacy the NSW Ministry of Health Commission website. guidelines around wearing a mask. Scan this QR code with your phone If you need to wear a mask in the for more information. hospital, we will give you one. Or click on this link if you are using a digital version of the booklet.

Why do you get asked the same questions several times? Keeping everyone safe It is very important that we have during COVID-19 times the right information about you. Different staff are treating you and The safety of patients, visitors and we need to make sure you are staff is our highest priority. The receiving the correct treatment. hospital screens everyone who To be sure, we will ask you many comes in for COVID-19 symptoms. times to tell us your name, your date of birth and why you are in the hospital. 8 Whilst you are being treated in Patients with special hospital, you will need to wear an identification band. This band needs is important, as it will have your Please tell us if you have special personal details on it. needs. For example, if you are We will also ask other questions hearing or sight impaired, or have about your health. We will ask if special dietary or religious needs. you have any allergies, medical We will do all we can to ensure that conditions or disabilities. Please tell we are meeting your requirements. us which medicines you are using, and if you smoke, drink alcohol or Do you need an interpreter use recreational drugs. Please also or are you hearing be sure to tell us if you are using impaired? any complementary medicines. If you need help to communicate in English or if you are deaf, you Let us know: have the right to use a professional • if you have any COVID-19 interpreter. Our staff can organise symptoms; an interpreter for you. • about any changes to your Unfortunately, family and friends health and any reactions to your cannot act as an interpreter for treatment; you. Professional interpreters • if you are being treated for the must interpret. However, a family same problem by someone else; member or friend can sit with you if • if you do not understand any of you would like. Interpreter services your tests or treatments; are free and confidential. AUSLAN interpreters are also available for • if you have any specific religious patients who are deaf. or cultural needs; • if you want to receive treatment as a private patient; and • if you have decided not to follow treatment advice and not attend appointments.

9 Smoking Who will treat me in

Smoking is not allowed in hospital hospital? buildings or on hospital grounds. Under the NSW Ministry of Health Our teams policy, there is no smoking in While you are in our hospital, health service facilities. For help to different healthcare teams will care quit smoking, call Quitline on for you. 13 78 48, or ask a nurse or doctor to assist you. These teams may include doctors, nurses, orthoptists and hand Security therapists. Each team has students who they train. The students will Security officers are onsite at always be under the supervision of all times. To help us keep our a qualified person. hospital safe, please do not leave your valuables unattended. If you can, please leave them at home. The hospital safe is available to store valuables if necessary. The hospital will not take any responsibility for lost or stolen items. The hospital will not tolerate abusive, threatening or violent language or behaviour. Anyone Students behaving in this way will have to leave the hospital. Our hospital works with different universities training new healthcare professionals. Students may request to talk to you about your condition. You can always say no at any time if you do not wish to talk to a student.

10 If you decide not to talk to a Departments in the student, it will have no impact on your treatment or access to hospital services. Your healthcare record will not show that you declined to Emergency Department talk to a student. If you decide to The Emergency Department take part, this will help the student. operates 24 hours a day, seven It will also help improve health days a week. Each person services provided to other patients who comes to the Emergency in the future. Department is first seen by the triage nurse. The triage nurse Hospital services decides how urgent your need • Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer is. The most urgent patients are always seen first. The time you • Anaesthetists may wait to see a doctor will vary • Dietetics according to how urgent your • Drug and Alcohol medical needs are. • Emergency Department Some patients may see a doctor before you, even though you have • General Medicine been waiting for a longer period of • Hand Surgery time. • Hand Therapy Scan this QR code with • Occupational Therapy your phone • Operating Theatres for more • Ophthalmology information. • Orthoptists Or click on this link if you are using a digital version of the booklet. • Pharmacy • Physiotherapy • Medical Imaging • Social Work

11 The Pharmacy Department Pharmacy is opposite the Emergency Managing your medications Department. The pharmacy is open The healthcare team will review from Monday to Friday, 8.00am to your medicines when you come to 5.00pm. To contact a pharmacist, hospital and before you go home. please ask your nurse to help you, You need to give any medication or phone (02) 9382 7111. that you bring to hospital to your nurse. The nurse will lock the medicine away and will give it back to you when you go home. If you would like to see a pharmacist at any time during your stay, please ask a nurse to organise this. The medicine you receive in hospital may look different to the medicine Medical Imaging you were taking at home. If you have any questions, please talk The Medical Imaging Department to the pharmacist, doctor or nurse provides general x-ray, ultrasound looking after you. and CT scanning to patients When you leave hospital, the attending the hospital. All patients doctor treating you at the hospital who attend this department need a will give you a letter to take to your referral from a doctor. You need to family doctor. This will include bring the referral and a Medicare a list of your current medicines. card if you wish to be bulk-billed. The team looking after you might If you do not have a Medicare card, give you medicine(s) for your first you will have to pay a fee to our few days at home. Make sure you cashier before the examination is visit your family doctor as soon as undertaken. Please call us on possible to get a prescription for (02) 9382 7080 to check if you more medicine(s) if you need them. need an appointment and if you It is very important that, before you need to pay a fee. go home, you understand what medicines you need to take and how to take them.

12 Staying safe with your medicines Important information for patients and carers

Hospital staff will need a way to confirm your ! While you are in hospital you must medicine details, perhaps by going through only take or use medicines that have your medicine boxes and bottles with you, or by been given to you by the hospital staff. asking your permission to speak to your local While it might seem easier or helpful to doctor or pharmacist. handle your own medicines, this is how accidents can happen! Allowing us to Please do not be concerned if you are asked manage your medicines during your stay about your medicines more than once during helps us keep you safe. your stay – often we just need to check that the information we have recorded is correct. If you havn't been asked about what medicines you When you are admitted to hospital: usually take, or you suspect that the medicines As part of your admission we are giving you aren't quite right, please alert to hospital, one or more one of our doctors, nurses or pharmacists. members of hospital staff During your stay in hospital: will ask you questions about your medicines. It We may make changes to is very important that we the medicines you take. have an accurate and Your hospital doctors complete list of all the should always include medicines that you use. you in these decisions and provide you with When you are asked about your medicines try information about your ? to think about the different types of medicines treatment options. STAFF YOU that you might use. Consider tablets, mixtures, creams, inhalers, eye drops, patches, Our hospital staff can get very busy at times, injections, and any other items you can think of. Vitamins and herbal treatments should be about your medicines to get missed. You can included, as well as any medicines you might help us by asking lots of questions about your buy without a prescription or that you use only medicines, including what the plan is for these occasionally. Please let us know if any of your medicines have recently changed and be written information about a particular medicine, honest about how well you follow the please ask for a CMI (Consumer Medicines instructions (including how often you might Information). Your ward may also have a miss doses). pharmacist that you can ask to speak to. Before you leave the hospital: Keeping an up-to-date list of medicines

When you are leaving is one of the BEST things a person can do to stay safe with their medicines. hospital you should be My medicines given a clear explanation Continue taking: Think about how many different health of any changes that have professionals you interact with local been made to your New medicines: doctors (GPs), specialist doctors, hospital medicines. Most patients doctors, pharmacists, dentists, paramedics, should also be provided Dose changes: and other care providers. All of these with an updated list of Stop taking: people need to know what medicines you medicines in a format currently take in order to help you make they can understand. good and safe decisions about your care. If you do not receive information about your Patients should always keep an up-to-date medicines at the time of discharge, or you are list of their medicines. A basic list would unsure about how to take your medicines include the name, strength and dosage when you leave hospital, please let a member instructions for each medicine, and the date of staff know immediately. that your list was last reviewed. It's a good idea to also include why you are taking Managing your medicines at home: each medicine, when you started it, and for It is important to us that our patients feel how long you are supposed to take it. confident in managing their medicines after they leave hospital. One of the best ways to The MedicineWise App check your confidence is to think about each If you (or your carer) have medicine and ask the following questions: a smart phone or tablet Do I know the name of this medicine? device, we strongly recommend using the Do I know what strength I use? MedicineWise app to help Do I know what dose I take and when? you keep track of medicines Do I know what I am using it for? and other health information. It is very easy to add medicines to your list and you can Do I know how long I am going to be on set reminders for when your doses are this medicine? due. You can even email a copy of your Do I know if this medicine has side medicine list to yourself, your family, and effects? your health professionals. If you need help with some of these The MedicineWise app is completely FREE questions, you can ask to speak to a doctor, and contains no advertising. It may be nurse or pharmacist. If you have already left downloaded from Google Play or the App hospital, you can ask your local doctor or Store (ask a friend if you need help with community pharmacist. You can also call setting this up!) 1300 MEDICINE (1300 633 424) for general information about any medicines (available Staying safe with your medicines (Information for patients and carers) Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm). SESLHD Quality Use of Medicines Committee, February 2018 © South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Social Work The Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer can talk to the hospital The Social Work Team offers staff for you and help you fill in counselling and practical help. forms. They can also help you Social workers are available to help with information, accommodation patients, family members, friends and help at home after you leave and carers. hospital. To contact the Aboriginal The Social Work Team can help Health Liaison Officer, please ask with concerns about an illness, your nurse, or phone (02) 9382 7111. or being in hospital, or finding a service to help you after you leave What to bring to hospital. hospital We work with the Aboriginal Some of the items you will need Hospital Liaison Officer. We while you are in hospital include: want to make sure that we meet • personal care items, such as a the needs of the Aboriginal and toothbrush and toothpaste, soap, Torres Strait Islander patients and shampoo, a comb and sanitary families. items; To contact a social worker, please • clothing items, such as ask your nurse, or phone pyjamas, a dressing gown and (02) 9382 7111. non-slip slippers, and a change of clothes for when you go home; Aboriginal Health and Liaison Officer • personal equipment, such as We ask all patients if they identify glasses, dentures (with a case as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait or a container), walking aids or Islander. If you answer ‘yes’, we medical equipment (for example, will contact our Aboriginal Hospital your Continuous Positive Airway Liaison Officer and let them know Pressure (CPAP) machine). you are here. The Aboriginal Please label all personal items with Hospital Liaison Officer will come your full name. and have a yarn with you.

15 If you need any help to fill this out, Paperwork a staff member can help you. Some of the paperwork you will Please tell us if you have any need while you are in hospital special dietary needs. These includes: include: • medical insurance details and • diabetic, your Medicare card; • coeliac, • details of your insurance claim. This is necessary if your stay • vegetarian, and/or in hospital is being paid for by • religious dietary needs. workers compensation or a third- party insurance company; A staff member can help you open food packages or can give you help • your IPTAAS form if you are to eat your meals. coming from a regional or rural area; and Your family or friends may bring in food or drinks for you. It is • a list of prescribed medications important that you check with your or other products that you are healthcare team before eating or currently taking. Examples drinking. You might need a special include tablets, creams, drops, diet as part of your treatment. ointments and inhalers. A staff member may ask you not X-rays and scans to eat or drink before a procedure or a test. They will let you know at Please bring any x-rays or scans what time you should stop eating or the doctor has asked you to bring. drinking. It is very important that you follow While you are in all the instructions given to you by hospital your healthcare team. How do I order food in the Visiting a family member or hospital? a friend You will receive a menu every Family, friends and carers are morning to complete. The menu is welcome to visit patients. for dinner that night, and breakfast and lunch for the next day. 16 Patients and visitors need to follow Please give all your medicines, current COVID-19 NSW Health including complementary visitor policies. This will make sure medicines, to the nurse looking everyone stays safe. after you. Please check the latest advice with We will aim to send all your own the staff on the ward. medications home with a person Please supervise children at all nominated by you. times. Whilst you are in hospital, it is Visiting hours in wards are important that you only take 10.00am–8.00pm. medicines prescribed and given to you by the medical and nursing Should you need to visit outside of staff. these hours, please speak to the Nurse in Charge. Do you need a medical certificate? We have set visiting hours. This Please let your treating doctor or allows the patients to rest and nurse know if you need a medical have time for personal care. It certificate when you arrive. also allows staff to attend to the patients’ medical needs in private. Can I go out to buy This may include therapy sessions, something? tests and giving medication. Your safety is our primary concern. Remember that most patients Please tell the nursing staff before share a room with other leaving the ward. patients. We ask you to be How do I call a nurse? sensitive to the needs of other There is a call button at each bed patients. should you need a nurse. There is Can I take my usual a light outside your room indicating medication while I am in to the nurse that you need help. hospital? Your family or friends may The hospital is responsible for also have concerns about your providing all your medications condition. If so, they may press the during your hospital stay. call button on your behalf, or call a nurse.

17 You can call for help by pushing Are you worried about the RED emergency button your loved one in located in your room to ensure hospital? help is on its way. This will alert Here is some information about all staff members on your ward recognising and responding to a that you need immediate help. worrying change. Or you can call (02) 9382 7333 and someone will come and help Patient and family-activated you. escalation I have some concerns, who R - Recognise do I talk to? E - Engage We aim to deliver the highest A - Act possible standard of care. Yet we do realise that there may be times C - Call when you are unhappy with an H - Help is on its way aspect of your care or the service we have provided. If you have a Your family knows you best and concern, we would like to hear may recognise a worrying change about it. The first step is to discuss in your condition. You might also the problem with your treating recognise a change in yourself that doctor or the nurse in charge on alarms you. your ward. If you or your family are concerned, If you are still not press the nurse call bell and talk to happy, you can contact the nurse who is looking after you. the Clinical Practice Tell the nurse what is worrying you. Improvement Unit If your concern is not responded Manager via email to, or you are getting worse, act SSEHConsumerFeedback@health. immediately. Ask to speak to the nsw.gov.au. Nurse in Charge and request a They will investigate your complaint ‘clinical review’. This should occur and inform you of the outcome. If within 30 minutes. you feel you want to take further If you are still concerned, call for action, the hospital will tell you help. about other options available to you. 18 9382 7333 Services available on Chapel and spiritual services the ward The hospital has a chapel for Television service you and your family to use. The Each bed has access to a chapel is on the ground floor of the television. You will need to pay to Worrall Building. Please ask your view commercial TV channels. nurse if you would like a chaplain Detailed information is available at or a spiritual representative to visit the ward reception. Please talk to you. If you need a special place to the staff on the ward. conduct private prayer, please talk to your nurse about this. Telephones Each bed has a bedside telephone In the event of a fire or for incoming calls only. Your an emergency family or friends can call you on this phone. Please talk to the Our staff have training in nursing staff if you want to make emergency procedures. In the a phone call. Mobile telephone event of an emergency, you should use is acceptable, provided you stay in or by your bed until told are courteous and respectful of otherwise by one of our staff. others. You are not allowed to take In the case of fire, do not use the photographs, video footage, or lifts. Please remain calm and stay record conversations of staff and within the ward. A staff member in other patients. charge will guide you to the closest Wi-Fi evacuation area. There is no Wi-Fi connection in the hospital for patients and visitors. Mail Please talk to the nursing staff or the ward clerk if you need to send or receive mail.

20 What parking is available in Facilities in the area the area? Food and drinks Paid parking is available underneath the hospital. The Courtyard Café entrance to Point Parking is via Tea, Coffee and refreshments Hospital Road. Please talk to your available for purchase onsite daily. nurse to see if you are eligible for Vending Machines concession parking. Vending machines are on Level Scan this 1 of the main hospital building QR code with and outside the Emergency your phone Department. for more information. Other cafes in the area are located: Or click on this link if you are using a digital version of the • opposite the hospital along booklet. Macquarie Street; Metered parking is available on • Martin Place Shopping Circle; Hospital Road. • MLC Centre. Free patient pick-up and drop-off is What public transport is available with a 15-minute time limit available in the area? in the turning bay. The entrance For information about public is after the carpark entrance on transport to and from the hospital, Hospital Road. you can call 131 500. Accommodation and Train: Martin Place Station is transport for regional or opposite the hospital, and St rural patients James Station is at the end of If you come from country NSW Macquarie Street. and need help with travel Bus: Bus No. 200 stops opposite arrangements, the social work staff the hospital in Macquarie Street. can help you. Ferries: Circular Quay ferry terminal is a 10-minute walk from the hospital. 21 You may be eligible for the Proximity to the hospital: a Isolated Patients Travel and 6-minute drive, a 16-minute walk or Accommodation Scheme 11 minutes using public transport. (IPTAAS). Song Hotel Sydney The scheme can help patients (Formerly Y Hotel Hyde with accommodation and transport Park) costs. It is available if: Telephone: (02) 9285 6200 • you live 100km or more (one way) Proximity to the hospital: a from the hospital; and/or 5-minute drive, a 14-minute walk or 11 minutes using public transport. • you need a specialist treatment; and/or Travelodge • treatment is not available in the Telephone: (02) 8224 9400 your local area. Proximity to the hospital: a 3-minute walk. Accommodation Macleay Serviced options Apartments Hotel PLEASE NOTE: Telephone: (02) 9357 7755 The hospital takes no responsibility Proximity to the hospital: a for the services provided by 10-minute drive, a 22-minute these hotels. This information is walk or 20 minutes using public current at the time of publication transport. (December 2020). The Sydney Lodge Motel Elizabeth Hunter Lodge Telephone: (02) 9328 0666 Telephone: (02) 9369 0307 Proximity to the hospital: a 10-minute drive, a 35-minute Proximity to the hospital: a walk or 15 minutes using public 20-minute drive, an 80-minute transport. walk or 24 minutes using public transport. Hyde Park Inn Telephone: (02) 9264 6001 Hotel Harry Proximity to the hospital: a Telephone: (02) 8262 8844 5-minute drive, a 12-minute walk or 7 minutes using public transport. 22 Castlereagh Inn A staff member will call this person Telephone: (02) 9284 1000 to discuss discharge planning if necessary. Proximity to the hospital: a 5-minute drive, a 10-minute walk or It is important to ensure that the 8 minutes using public transport. person you care for has updated their Next of Kin information. Useful accommodation That way we can ensure we are websites contacting the correct person. www.airbnb.com.au Please make sure you tell the www.wotif.com.au nurse if the person you are caring www.bookings.com.au for has the following in place: www.agoda.com.au • a Power of Attorney, www.trivago.com.au • an Enduring Guardianship, or

Caring for someone who • an Advanced Care Directive. is in hospital You might have concerns about the healthcare of the person you Your needs as a family member or are caring for. We encourage you carer are important. to provide feedback to the treating The term ‘carer’ describes a team. We value and respect person who supports someone your feedback. You are welcome with a health condition. Carers may to speak to any member of the or may not live with the person they healthcare team, in particular their are caring for. Carers may provide nurse. help with daily living tasks or may You can also ask to speak to a visit or call the person on a regular social worker for support and basis. Being a carer can take time information. and energy. A commitment to supporting There may be times when the families and carers of patients person you care for has to come to is important to us. As part of the hospital. this commitment, we work to We will ask the patient to nominate implement the South Eastern a contact person. Sydney Local Health District Carer Strategy 2019-2022. 23 Scan this QR code with your phone When you come to hospital you are for more information. agreeing to receive treatment for your condition. You may change Or click on your mind at any time when you this link if you are in hospital. are using a digital version of the When do you need to booklet. provide the hospital with consent? Private and public Operations, anaesthetics and patients various other medical and Every Australian resident has diagnostic procedures need your the right to healthcare using specific consent. You must give Medicare, or to pay for treatment. consent before receiving treatment. This does not apply to patients What if I do not understand who are receiving treatment for an what the doctor is telling insurance matter. A person who me about the surgery or chooses to receive free healthcare procedure? is a public patient. A person who Ask the doctor to repeat what chooses to pay for their healthcare they are saying in plain and is a private patient. simple terms. We can arrange an It is very important that you tell the interpreter for you if : admissions staff which option you • you have difficulty understanding will choose – whether you decide English; or to be a private patient or a public patient. • you are deaf. The Patient Liaison Officer is What happens if I cannot, available to discuss each option or do not wish to give with you. They will help you to consent? choose the one that suits you best. You have the right to withhold consent. In this case, you will not Consent receive treatment. The healthcare team needs your If you cannot give consent, we will consent before any treatment ask a relative, carer or close friend begins. to give consent on your behalf. 24 If this person is unavailable, the Guardianship Tribunal can give Overseas patients consent. You will need to pay for your In a life-threatening emergency, healthcare if: obtaining consent is not required. • you are not an Australian resident or citizen; or Falls • you do not have a Medicare card. Some people are at risk of falling This does not apply if you have in hospital. Some people may fall travel insurance. Please provide because of: your insurance details to the • a reaction to certain medicines; administration staff. You will also • being in an unfamiliar place; need to provide your passport number and a copy of your visa. • confusion; Your visa status will determine • problems with balance or walking; what you need to pay to stay in and/or hospital. • poor eyesight. If you are unsure, always ask a Infection prevention nurse for help when moving out of and control, and hand bed. hygiene Patients, visitors and staff play a Nil by mouth role in infection prevention and Do not eat or drink any food if there control. You may have come to is a ‘nil by mouth’ notice on the bed hospital with an infection. You may – doing so could be dangerous or also have an increased risk of delay your surgery. getting an infection if you: • have had surgery; Pressure injury • are taking medicines that weaken Please tell a nurse if your skin is: your immune system; and/or • red or discoloured; • stay in hospital for a long time. • tender, painful or itchy; and/or • blistering or broken. 25 Cleaning your hands Infection precaution rooms Even if your hands look clean, they If you have an infection we may can still be carrying germs. One of move you to a room on your own. the best ways to reduce the spread We will let you and your family of infections is to clean your hands. know when this happens and Cleaning your hands is the single explain what this means. most important thing you can do to Staff may need to wear gloves, keep everyone safe. plastic gowns, eye protection and How can we prevent a mask when they come into your infection? room. This will depend on the type Cleaning your hands is the best of infection that you may have. way to help prevent infection. Hand What can you do to reduce sanitiser, and soap and water are the spread of infection? available in all areas of the hospital. Please do not sit on other patients’ Everyone needs to wash their beds, and ask your visitors not to hands before visiting you and when sit on your bed. they leave. Do not visit people in hospital if How do you use alcohol- you are sick with a contagious based hand rub? illness. This can include COVID-19, 1. Put the alcohol-based hand cold or flu, vomiting, diarrhoea, rub on your palms and rub your or chickenpox. Before you come, hands together (one or two please check with one of our pumps). staff members if you should visit someone in the hospital or not. 2. Cover all of your hands with hand sanitiser. Include your Physical distancing and fingers and thumbs, front and wearing a mask back, and rub your hands To ensure everyone’s safety, we together until they feel dry. ask that you keep 1.5m away from others when you are in the 3. Avoid touching anything before hospital. they are dry – this should take around 20 seconds. We are following the NSW Ministry of Health’s guidelines for wearing a mask.

If you need to wear a mask we will For more give you one. It is important that information, you wear your mask over your nose please scan this and mouth at all times. You should QR code with your not wear your mask on your chin or phone. placed in a pocket. Once you have Or click on this link if you are using removed your mask, place it in the a digital version of the booklet. bin and clean your hands. Please talk to your doctor, nurse or Advance care planning the social worker if you would like to discuss this in more detail.

Giving feedback

At Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital, we aim to provide you with the best care possible. Feedback helps us understand what is working well, and where we Advance care planning is planning can improve. for the care you want if you cannot You can give us feedback through speak for yourself. An example is, the following options: if you became extremely ill, or were • Discuss your thoughts with staff severely injured, and were unable on the ward or in the relevant to discuss your care and consent department. for treatment. Advance care planning allows you to tell your • Provide feedback through the family, carer or doctor your wishes. Care Opinion’s website. This website is a way for you to You do not have to have a terminal provide feedback on the care you illness for advance care planning to have received in hospital. Your be relevant for you. family member or carer can also leave feedback on the website.

28 You can visit the Please note: If you are having Care Opinion’s surgery must have someone to website by scanning take you home. A staff member this QR Code with must be able to contact the escort your phone. to pick up you up. Or click on this link if you are using If there is no one available to take a digital version of the booklet. you home, the operation will not • Speak with the Patient Safety occur. The hospital will reschedule and Clinical Improvement the operation for another day. Manager. If you are staying overnight, you will SESLHD-SSEHConsumer transfer to an inpatient ward after [email protected] surgery. Or phone: (02) 9382 7323. • Write a letter to: Follow-up visits with Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital your doctor GPO Box 1614 When you go home, you will Sydney, NSW, 2001 receive a letter from the hospital Leaving hospital doctor and your list of medicines. You will need to see a doctor after We start to plan for you to go home you leave hospital. You will either: early in your hospital stay. This is a) receive a date and time for to ensure you are as prepared as a follow-up appointment at possible to go home your stay in the hospital with one of our hospital. It gives us an opportunity doctors; or to organise any extra requirements. If you are likely to have any special b) be told by the healthcare team needs when you go home, please that you need to follow up with talk to your health care team. your family doctor. If you are a private patient, you Getting home may need to book an appointment Day Surgery Patients with the specialist’s private rooms. The staff will give your family or friend instructions where to meet you to take you home. 29 Anyone can choose to donate Donating your organs their organs and tissue. Your and tissues registration with the Australian There are almost 1700 people Organ Donor Register is a legal in Australia on organ transplant document. It provides valid consent waiting lists. If you register to (or objection) for organ and tissue become an organ donor, you could donation. For more information or be giving the gift of life. This is the to register, contact the Australian greatest gift one human being can Organ Donor Registry. You can give another. The Australian Organ call them on 1800 777 203 or visit Donor Register is Australia’s only www.medicareaustralia.gov.au or national organ and tissue register. scan the QR code below. It is very This serves as a lifeline to the important to tell your family or carer people on those waiting lists. of your decision.

30 Australian Guide to Healthy Eating Enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods from these five food groups every day. Drink plenty of water. Vegetables and legumes/beans

Grain (cereal) foods, mostly wholegrain and/or high cereal fibre varieties Muesli

Polenta

Quinoa

Fettuccine Penne Red kidney beans

Wheat flakes Red lentils Chickpeas

Red kidney beans Lentils

Mixed nuts

Chickpeas

Fruit

Lean meats and poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, nuts and seeds and legumes/beans

Milk, yoghurt, cheese and/or alternatives, mostly reduced fat

Use small amounts Only sometimes and in small amounts My healthcare rights: My healthcare rights How can I use the Charter?

This is the I have a right to: The Australian Charter of second Healthcare Rights describes what edition of the you can expect when receiving I know Access health care in Australia. Australian Healthcareservicesandtreatmentthatmeetsmyneeds that Charter I have of Healthcare Safety rights Rights. R e c e i v e safeandhighqualityhealthcarethatmeetsnationalstandards B e caredforinanenvironmentthatissafeandmakesmefeelsafe These rights apply I tell my healthcare to all people in all provider what is places where health Respect important to me care is provided B e treatedasanindividual,andwithdignityandrespect in Australia. H a v e myculture,identity,beliefsandchoicesrecognisedandrespected

The Charter describes what you, Partnership I ask or someone you care A s k questionsandbeinvolvedinopenandhonestcommunication questions for, can expect when M a k e decisionswithmyhealthcareprovider,totheextentthatI receiving health care. chooseandamableto I n c l u d e thepeoplethatIwantinplanninganddecision-making Information C l e a r informationaboutmycondition,thepossiblebenefitsandrisks ofdifferenttestsandtreatments,soIcangivemyinformedconsent R e c e i v e informationaboutservices,waitingtimesandcosts B e givenassistance,whenIneedit,tohelpmetounderstandand I get information that usehealthinformation I can include A c c e s s myhealthinformation I can understand B e toldifsomethinghasgonewrongduringmyhealthcare,howit my carer, family happened,howitmayaffectmeandwhatisbeingdonetomake and friends caresafe We make Privacy decisions H a v e mypersonalprivacyrespected together H a v e informationaboutmeandmyhealthkeptsecureandconfidential Give feedback P r o v i d e feedbackormakeacomplaintwithoutitaffectingtheway thatIamtreated H a v e myconcernsaddressedinatransparentandtimelyway S h a r e myexperienceandparticipatetoimprovethequalityofcare

andhealthservices PUBLISHED JULY 2019

For more information on the charter and how PUBLISHED JULY 2019 it can help you ask a member of staff or visit For more information safetyandquality.gov.au/your-rights ask a member of staff or visit safetyandquality.gov.au/your-rights My healthcare rights: My healthcare rights How can I use the Charter?

andhealthservices PUBLISHED JULY 2019

For more information on the charter and how PUBLISHED JULY 2019 it can help you ask a member of staff or visit For more information safetyandquality.gov.au/your-rights ask a member of staff or visit safetyandquality.gov.au/your-rights 8 simple steps to keep yourself safe during your stay in hospital.

Preventing falls

• If required, wear the non slip hospital socks, laced up or snug fitting shoes. • Use your usual walking aids. • If you need any assistance, please tell us.

Preventing blood clots

• Wear your hospital stockings if advised and move as often as you can. • Try to do simple leg and ankle exercises. • Drink fluids as recommended. • Take blood-thinning tablets or injections as advised. Preventing infection

• Wash your hands before and after visiting the toilet, and before all meals. • Don’t hesitate to ask our staff if they have washed their hands before any contact with you. • Tell us if you have diarrhoea or vomiting.

Your medicines

• Tell us if you have an allergy, or if you do not understand what your medicines are for. • Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you have any concerns. • Ask for a Consumer Information pamphlet and the possible side effects if you are starting a new medicine. Pressure ulcers

• If you can,keep as active as possible, and avoid lying in the same position for too long, and call us if you are uncomfortable. • We are very happy to help you change position, and can provide a special mattress or cushion for support. Identification

• Tell us if any of your personal information is wrong (name, date of birth, address, GP, next of kin). • Tell us if you have any allergies and we will give you a red ID band.

Any concerns

• We are here to help you— talk to us if you have any worries or concerns about your treatment, or about what will happen when you leave hospital. • We would love to hear your feedback, please complete the patient experience survey. Leaving hospital

Before you leave, make sure you: • Have your discharge summary. • Have your medicines and they have been explained to you. • Know who to contact if you have any questions or concerns. • Know when your next appointment is.

Information adapted from Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust with kind permission. We know how precious sight is

That is why, as the charity dedicated to supporting Sydney Eye Hospital, we have been raising vital funds since 1981.

Your donations fund research projects which are revolutionising eye treatment. They also allow the hospital to provide world-class care, improve facilities such as clinics and buy new-to-the-market equipment. Grateful patients leave the hospital and often ask how they and their loved ones can say thanks and donate to what we do.

Visit www.sehf.org.au

Telephone: 02 9382 7408

Please come and say hello. Our office is next to the pharmacy. Six Ways to Beat Heart Attack

1. Check your Blood Pressure 4. Maintain Normal Weight High blood pressure often gives no warning signs and it is If you or your children are too fat the chances of developing necessary to have it checked regularly by your doctor. High health problems are increased. Ask your doctor for a blood pressure sharply increases the risk of heart attack, sensible weight reducing diet or get the Heart Foundation's stroke and other conditions if it goes undetected and publication "Guide to Losing Weight." Bad food habits untreated. With proper medical treatment this disease can formed in childhood are hard to break in later life, so it is be brought under control in most cases. important your children follow a healthy eating pattern. 2. Don't Smoke 5. Improve Physical Activity Smoking greatly increases your risk of heart attack. It is Exercise should be fun not a chore. Choose a physical never too late to stop, as evidence shows that damage activity you enjoy, make it a family affair, walk the dog, can be very quickly reversed. Do not smoke cigarettes cycle around the park, swim, play tennis, take the family for and dis-courage your family and friends from smoking. a sail. Exercise regularly, your doctor can tell you what kind of activities will suit your age and physical condition. 3. Reduce Blood Fats 6. Have Regular Check-ups A high level of blood fats (cholesterol and/or Regular check-ups enable your doctor to detect and treat triglycerides) increases the risk of heart attack. With conditions that can lead to heart attack and other forms of moderated changes in your diet, your blood fats can be heart and circulatory disease. reduced to a safer level. This means reducing total fat intake, particularly saturated fats, and cholesterol in rich foods. A balanced diet is necessary for good health. Ask your doctor for advice or contact the National Heart Foundation in your Heart Foundation State for information on nutritional guidelines for you and National Heart Foundation of Australia your family.

Local community services Six Ways to Beat Heart Attack for your information 1. Check your Blood Pressure High blood pressure often gives no warning signs and it is necessary to have it checked regularly by your doctor. 2.The Don't following Smoke pages contain informationSmoking greatly onincreases a curated your risk range of heart ofattack. local community 3.services Reduce Blood chosen Fats to help you and your visitors during and A high level of blood fats (cholesterol and/or triglycerides) afterincreases your the stay.risk of heart attack. 4.Though Maintain a Normal service’s Weight feature in the publication doesn’t imply an endorsement on behalfIf you or of your the children hospital, are too fatwe the want chances to of thank these service providers for their support, withoutdeveloping which health problems this publication are increased. would not be possible. 5. Improve Physical Activity Exercise should be fun not a chore. ChoosePlease a physical take the time to look through their services activity you enjoy, make it a family affair, andwalk theconsider dog, their usefulness to you. cycle around the park, swim, play tennis, take the family for a sail. Exercise regularly, your doctor can tell you what kind of activities will suit your age and physical condition. 6. Have Regular Check-ups Regular check-ups enable your doctor to detect and treat conditions that can lead to heart attack and other forms of hospitalguide.com.auheart and circulatory disease. Heart Foundation National Heart Foundation of Australia MARTIN PLACE PHARMACY Warmth of a community pharmacy in the heart of the CBD. Let us tend to your most important wealth – your health. We go the extra mile and strive for excellence in service. Join us in the new year, 2021, in our new and improved store!

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