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During Your Stay

Superb accommodation includes private and shared rooms all with ensuite facilities. Our many amenities are designed to make your stay as pleasant as possible. 

On Arrival at Ward

You will be met by the ward staff who will explain the ward layout and routine. The nursing staff will record the necessary information and provide detailed information as to your needs and expectations. The processes vary according to the specific area to which you are admitted.

Bed Allocation

Allocation of single rooms at this hospital is based primarily on medical need. Whilst every effort is made to provide single rooms to our private patients, the hospital cannot guarantee single rooms.

Identification of Staff

All staff wear photo identification badges stating their name and position. 

Direct Care & Ward staff

HDHS staff wear shirts with a circle pattern:

Red = nursing management

Blue = ward nursing staff

Mauve = clerical staff

Aqua = hotel services staff

Plain white shirt with navy pants = physiotherapist

Plain blue shirt with ‘security’ epilates = wardsmen/women

 Additional Staff:

Doctors, social workers, speech therapists, HDHS community health staff and non clinical mangers do not wear specific uniforms. Affiliated non-HDHS staff will have their organization’s logo on their uniform as well as their identification tag.

Nurse Call System

Each bedside and bathroom has a nurse call button, which can be activated for nursing assistance, and will be explained to you on admission to the ward. Should you require further assistance, please do not hesitate to ask.

Temperature of Room

All rooms are air-conditioned and centrally heated. If the temperature of your room is uncomfortable, please notify the nursing staff.

Emergency Procedures

All staff are trained in emergency procedures. In the event of an emergency, please remain calm, remain in your room and await instructions by nursing staff.

Falls Prevention

An unfamiliar environment and new medications can increase the risk of falls. Please call a nurse to help if you feel you might have difficulty getting out of bed. Wearing well-fitting, supportive shoes when walking will also help prevent falls.

Meal Times

All meals are freshly prepared by our own chefs in the hospital's modern fully equipped kitchen.

Meals throughout the hospital are served at the following times:

Leaving the Ward – Temporarily

Should you wish to leave the ward (for example to make a telephone call, to go to the Chapel or to visit the Coffee Shop), please notify the ward staff of your departure. The hospital also has a number of outside garden areas, which you are welcome to enjoy. Babies from Maternity are not to accompany parents outside.

Children's Play Area

Our paediatric unit includes a play safe crèche and a parent's retreat to enjoy a quiet moment.

Smoking

The buildings and grounds of Hawkesbury District Health Service are smoke free. Smoking is harmful to everyone exposed to tobacco. Hawkesbury District Health Service recommends against it. If during your hospital stay you would like assistance to stop smoking, ask your nurses to refer you for smoking cessation support.

Donations

We welcome and appreciate people who wish to donate funds or support us in some way. Please discuss this with the Nurse Manager.

Gifts to the Staff

Many patients generously acknowledge their appreciation for the care and treatment they have received by staff. While staff and management greatly appreciate this kindness, some gifts may not be appropriate. If you are unsure, please discuss this with the Nurse Manager.

PATIENT SERVICES

Pharmacy Services

The hospital provides your medications during your stay and ensures that satisfactory arrangements are made for you on discharge. To assist the medical staff, it is recommended that you bring with you a list of your medications, their strength and the hour(s) you take them. If you are uncertain about these details, bring your medications with you and give them to your ward nursing staff who will return them to you prior to discharge.

Dietitian

You may be visited by the hospital's dietitian while you are in hospital, especially if you need nutritional advice. The dietitian conducts outpatient clinics. If you wish to see the dietitian as an outpatient, please discuss this with your doctor and a referral may be arranged.

Chapel

A Chapel is situated on the upper level of the hospital and is open 24 hours for reflection and prayer. Priests and ministers from various denominations regularly conduct religious services in the Chapel, and you are welcome to attend any of these services. The times of services are listed on the noticeboard outside the Chapel, or please ask nursing staff.

Spiritual Care

Spiritual care services are available to provide you and your family with spiritual and emotional support during the course of your hospital stay. Spiritual care staff visit the wards regularly and can be contacted via the switchboard (dial 9) or through the nursing staff. On your admission form we ask you to state your religion/denomination. This information enables us to provide appropriate services to you whilst you are in hospital. This information is available to clergy/church visitors accredited with this facility. Every effort is made to treat this information with sensitivity and care. This does not mean you will be automatically visited, however, if you do not wish to be visited by a representative of your religion/denomination, please let your nurse or ward clerk know.

Radio

Radio programmes are available through the nurse call handset, located next to your bedside, as part of the in-house Entertainment System. Please consider the comfort of other patients when using the radio. All personal radios and televisions must have individual headsets used at all times. If they use 240-watt power, they must be safety checked by the Hawkesbury District Health Service electrician prior to use.

Television

Each ward bed has its own television. An in-house information channel is available to help familiarise yourself with the Health Service, along with the free-to-air stations including SBS. Television is a free service to all private patients. Foxtel is also available upon request. Foxtell charges are payable on discharge.   Payments can be made by credit card imprint, cash, cheque or EFTPOS.  Please consider the comfort of other patients when using the TV.

Newspapers

Newspapers can be purchased from the Coffee Shop and the Gift Shop in the Main Reception area. Private patients receive a complimentary paper every morning.

Telephones

There is a telephone situation next to every bed. All calls including local, STD, mobile, paging and community telephone calls are charged. Local calls are provided free of charge to private patients, however other calls are payable on discharge. Payments can be made by credit card imprint, cash, cheque or EFTPOS. Direct indial is available for the convenience of your family and friends. This also alleviates delays via the switchboard. Incoming calls can be monitored if so desired.

Mobile Telephones

Due to privacy issues and possible interference with electronic equipment, it is requested that patients, relatives and visitors do not use mobile phones within the ward areas.

Transport

Local taxis can be arranged on request at the main reception desk. A local bus timetable for Westbus services and train timetable are also available.

Laundry – Personal

The personal laundry needs of patients are usually attended to by relatives and/or friends. In special circumstances, however, the hospital has a small domestic washer and dryer available for use. Please ask your ward nurse for further details.

Flowers

Flowers are welcome in the wards. As shelf space is somewhat limited around patient bedsides, small bouquets or bowl arrangements are suggested.

Gift Shop

Located in the foyer of the main entry, the Gift Shop is staffed by Hawkesbury District Health Service volunteers. The Gift Shop sells a range of cards, magazines, confectionery, drinks, flowers and small gifts. Usual Opening Hours: Monday to Friday  9.00am-4.00pm and Saturday & Sunday 10.00am-4.00pm

Coffee Shop

The Coffee Shop is located outside the main hospital building near the Emergency Department entrance and is staffed by the hospital's catering department. Patients, visitors and relatives can purchase a range of hot or cold meals, snacks, drinks and newspapers. Outside seating is available at the Coffee Shop. Hours of opening are displayed outside the Coffee Shop. Usual opening hours are from 9.00am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday and 9.00am to 3.00pm Saturday & Sundays.

Stamps

Postage stamps can be purchased from the Cashier at the front Reception.

Mail

Mail is delivered daily to the wards. Patient mail should be addressed as follows:

Name:
Ward:
Hawkesbury District Health Service Ltd
Locked Bag 10
WINDSOR NSW 2756

Outgoing mail can be posted daily by giving it to your Ward Receptionist or leaving it at the Reception Desk in the main entry. Stamps can be purchased from the Reception Desk.

Telephone: (02) 4560 5555