Leaving hospital
Your discharge
When you are discharged you will require someone to drive or accompany you home.
For day patients, please ensure this is arranged before you are admitted. Day Surgery patients can be met in our Discharge Lounge on Level 4 Clark Tower, near Chapman Surgical Centre.
Day Procedures Centre patients can be met in the DPC Discharge Lounge on Level 4 of the Tulloch Building, adjacent to the Day Procedures Centre. For the first 24 hours after your procedure it is important that you:
- Do not drive a car
- Do not drink alcohol
- Do not remain on your own (unless approved by your specialist)
- Do not make complex or legal decisions
We advise you to have a responsible adult with you for 24 hours after a procedure. You may be asked to follow detailed instructions, including medication instructions, after you leave hospital. Having someone with you during these discussions is important following administration of an anaesthetic.
For overnight patients, discharge time is before 10.00am. If you do not have a family member or friend able to pick you up before 10am you will be able to wait in our Discharge Lounge. In some circumstances our staff can arrange transport home if necessary (this may incur a cost).
The majority of patients will return home however some patients may require community support services, a transfer to another facility or require rehabilitation. Your health care team will assist to make the necessary arrangements, including any home care. If you think you will require any assistance, please speak to your Nurse or Case Manager, or ask to speak to a Social Worker.
Please make sure you take your personal belongings, valuables, medications and X-rays home with you. You may ask the pharmacy for your prescription record card for your records, and this can be arranged through your ward pharmacist or Nursing Unit Manager. You may need to visit the Pharmacy to collect your discharge medications before you leave.
You may be given a discharge form when you leave the ward and need to see one of our discharge clerks at Access Centre on Level 4 Clifford Tower. You may need to finalise your hospital account before leaving.