To help make your stay as pleasant as possible it is important that you bring the following items with you on your day of admission:

• Patient Details form.
• All your regular tablets, medicines and inhalers in their original packet and any current prescriptions you have.
• All x-rays and scans relating to your procedure.
• Medicare card, DVA card, Safety Net card, Pensioner card, Pharmacy card, health benefits card, as needed.
• A certified copy of your power of attorney or advanced health directive, if you have one.
• Pack a bag with comfortable clothing that is not too long or loose. If you are staying overnight also bring sleepwear and toiletries.
• Comfortable, low-heeled and non-slip shoes that fit you well.
• Any personal items you use such as prescription glasses, walking aids and hearing aids.
• If you use a CPAP machine please bring this with you, along with any medical documents relating to your sleep apnoea or CPAP machine. This is still necessary even if you are not staying overnight in hospital.

Please do not bring any valuables with you to hospital, however there is a security safe at each bedside if required.

Please check in with our friendly reception team at your designated reception area. When you check in, our team will confirm your details, assist you to complete any required paperwork and direct you to the appropriate care area.

Please be aware that your appointment time is not your procedure time. When you arrive at the hospital our team will take you through the preparation process needed for your procedure. While waiting in the Day Procedure Unit for your procedure, you may have a support person wait with you.

Planning your discharge is an important part of your hospital stay. This will involve talking with your family and support people to ensure you are ready.

It is important that you arrange your way home and make any discharge plans before your admission. To ensure that your discharge from hospital is safe and as easy as possible, please:

• do not drive your car or use heavy equipment for 24 hours after your procedure as the anaesthetic medication can cause drowsiness
• do not sign any legal documents or make important decisions for 24 hours after your procedure
• follow all discharge information given to you
• contact your general practitioner or attend your closest emergency department if you have any post-procedural complications.

Please speak to your doctor to find out if you will be going home after your day procedure, or staying longer in hospital. They will then let you know what is required for your discharge. 

Being treated as a Public Patient

Patients who are eligible under Medicare are not required to pay for their stay in hospital, however there may be other costs incurred, including:

• Discharge Medications
• If admission are more than 35 days and you are not an acute patient, you may be required to pay a daily contribution

If any of the above costs apply to you, you will receive an invoice for payment prior to being discharged or during your stay. This can be paid at the cashier onsite or via our website.

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Medication Costs

At the conclusion of your stay, you may be dispensed discharge medications by the onsite pharmacy. The invoice for discharge medications will be provided upon discharge. This should be paid for prior to leaving the hospital by visiting the cashier or you may pay via our website once you have been discharged.

You may be contacted by our accounts team for payment should this not be actioned in time.

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Mater has a patient representative available to you if you have any compliments or concerns regarding your care. If a patient feels that their concern has not been resolved appropriately, Mater’s patient representative can be of assistance.

The Mater Patient Charter addresses your rights and responsibilities.  It outlines the process to follow if you, or a family member, wish to raise concerns about your care or immediate safety (the PACE process).