FAQS

Maternity

It’s important that all maternity patients are familiar with the processes and information outlined below as there are specific activities you need to do, so that your hospital stay runs smoothly.

Pre-Admission
Admission
Discharge

Pre-Admission

Information in this section explains what happens in preparation for your admission to hospital including administrative tasks, and what you need to do, to prepare for yourself and your baby’s hospital stay.

Your Hospital Booking

Your obstetrician will refer you to Gosford Private when you are 16 weeks pregnant. At that time you should contact the hospital to make your booking, which will include making an appointment for you to attend our Booking-In Clinic.

It can be helpful if you can have the following information available at this time, as relevant to you:

Name and contact details of your next-of-kin and a second local contact person
Name and contact details of your general practitioner
Medicare card
Department of Veterans' Affairs card
Pension card
Health Care card
Safety Net or Concession card
Private health insurance membership card
Health history and a list of current medications
Complete Admission Paperwork
You’ll receive admission paperwork from your doctor's rooms.

Please ensure you complete the forms and return them to the hospital as soon as possible.

Booking-In Clinic

At your Booking-In Clinic appointment, one of our midwives will take all your relevant medical history and you’ll be advised about all the services we provide, as well as how to access them.

This appointment will take approximately 30 minutes.

Confirm Cost Coverage

It’s your responsibility to pay for any costs you may incur.Contact your health insurer to confirm exactly what costs will be covered.See Insurance & Accounts for additional information

Admission Confirmation

Throughout your pregnancy, we’ll be in contact with you through our antenatal classes. We’ll confirm details about your admission closer to your delivery and based on your individual needs.

What to bring to hospital

For labour, we suggest:

Cool loose comfortable clothing (e.g. old large t-shirt or nightie)
Warm socks
Glucose sweets and/or snacks for yourself and partner (e.g. jelly beans, barley sugar, jubes, lemonade icy poles)
Hair bands and shower cap for long hair
Massage oil (e.g. lavender scented oil)
Camera
Music on cassette tapes or CDs if desired
Lip balm
Video camera use is by permission only. Please see Video Camera section below.
For after the birth, we suggest:
Telephone list to inform family and friends of birth
Personal toiletry items
Comfortable clothing for day wear and night attire including dressing gown (easy opening for breastfeeding)
Slippers or other suitable footwear
Nursing bras and pads for breastfeeding
Sanitary pads (maternity and lighter flow)
Watch or small clock
Medicare card
Pen
For your baby, please bring:
Baby wipes
Bunny rugs
Baby bath solution
Bottles, teats, formula (if you’re planning to artificially feed)
Clothing to take your baby home (e.g. bonnet, warm jacket, at least two nappies and pins)
Approved child safety restraint (Please ensure it’s correctly fitted in the car ready for dischar

Video Cameras

For privacy reasons, you are required to seek permission in writing from the hospital chief executive officer and your doctor for approval to film any aspect of your delivery.

Admission

Fasting

If your admission to hospital is planned (e.g. elective caesarean or induction), you may need to fast before coming to hospital. Please speak to your doctor or midwife for specific information related to your needs at least one day prior to your admission.

Before Leaving Home

If your admission is planned (e.g. elective caesarean birth or induction), you do not need to contact us before leaving home. For all other admissions, we request you call us prior to leaving home, so we can prepare for your arrival.
During office hours (everyday 6 am-8 pm), please contact the Maternity Unit on 02 4328 7111 ext. 260
Outside of office hours (everyday 8 pm-6 am), please call 02 4324 7111 ext. 113 and ask to speak to the after hours manager

On Arrival

As the arrival time for maternity patients varies, please familiarise yourself with the information below about hospital arrival procedures for maternity patients.

Unplanned Admissions

For arrivals:

Monday-Friday: 6.30 am-8 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 8.30 am-8 pm

Proceed directly to the maternity unit ward via the main entrance and reception area. If further directions or information is required, enquire at reception

For arrivals:

Monday-Friday: 8 pm-6.30 am
Saturday & Sunday: 8 pm-8.30 am
Between these times, the internal door is locked for security reasons. Access can be obtained by activating the main entrance buzzer on the left hand side of the glass doors.

Planned Admissions

Please ensure you arrive at the hospital at the time designated by the hospital or your doctor.
On arrival please register at reception. You’ll then be shown to your room.
Types of Accommodation
Our maternity facilities offer a high standard of private room accommodation. All rooms have ensuite facilities, specifically designed for maximum access.

While we’ll make every endeavour to provide you with your accommodation preference, please understand that in certain circumstances of high activity, it may be necessary to admit you to a shared room until a private room becomes available.

Discharge
We ask that you vacate your room by 10 am on the day you leave hospital so that we can prepare for the next patient.

All patients are required to report to reception to be formally discharged. Reception hours are:

Monday-Friday: 6:30 am-8 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 8 am-8 pm

A comfortable area for you to wait for transport is provided in the hospital foyer.

Maternity

It’s important that all maternity patients are familiar with the processes and information outlined below as there are specific activities you need to do, so that your hospital stay runs smoothly.
Pre-Admission
Admission
Discharge

Pre-Admission
Information in this section explains what happens in preparation for your admission to hospital including administrative tasks, and what you need to do, to prepare for yourself and your baby’s hospital stay.
Your Hospital Booking
Your obstetrician will refer you to North Gosford Private when you are 16 weeks pregnant. At that time you should contact the hospital to make your booking, which will include making an appointment for you to attend our Booking-In Clinic.

It can be helpful if you can have the following information available at this time, as relevant to you:
Name and contact details of your next-of-kin and a second local contact person
Name and contact details of your general practitioner
Medicare card
Department of Veterans' Affairs card
Pension card
Health Care card
Safety Net or Concession card
Private health insurance membership card
Health history and a list of current medications
Complete Admission Paperwork
You’ll receive admission paperwork from your doctor's rooms.

Please ensure you complete the forms and return them to the hospital as soon as possible.
Booking-In Clinic
At your Booking-In Clinic appointment, one of our midwives will take all your relevant medical history and you’ll be advised about all the services we provide, as well as how to access them.

This appointment will take approximately 30 minutes.
Confirm Cost Coverage
It’s your responsibility to pay for any costs you may incur.

Contact your health insurer to confirm exactly what costs will be covered.

See Insurance & Accounts for additional information
Admission Confirmation
Throughout your pregnancy, we’ll be in contact with you through our antenatal classes. We’ll confirm details about your admission closer to your delivery and based on your individual needs.
What to bring to hospital
For labour, we suggest:
Cool loose comfortable clothing (e.g. old large t-shirt or nightie)

General Admission

General Admission

It’s important that general admission patients are familiar with the processes and information on this page as there are specific tasks in which patients need to attend to, to ensure their hospital stay runs smoothly.

Pre-Admission
Admission
Discharge

Gosford Private Hospital has a veterans’ liaison officer, who can assist DVA patients and co-ordinate all aspects of their hospital stay.

Pre-Admission

Information in this section explains what happens in preparation for your admission to hospital.

The booking for your hospital stay will be made through your doctor’s rooms.

Complete Admission Paperwork

For planned surgical patients, you’ll receive admission paperwork from your doctor's rooms.

Please ensure you complete the forms and return them to Gosford Private Hospital. Where possible, we require your admission forms one week prior to your admission date. This is important in order to confirm your hospital booking.

Confirm Cost Coverage

Contact your insurer (health fund, Workers Compensation insurer or other) to confirm exactly what costs will be covered. See insurance and accounts for additional information:

Pre-Admission Clinic

If you’re having major surgery, you may be contacted by one of our pre-admission clinicians and where required, booked for a pre-admission clinic.

Before speaking with our staff, please ensure you have the following information ready as applicable to you:

Name and contact details of your next-of-kin and a second contact person
Name and contact details of your general practitioner
Medicare card
Department of Veterans' Affairs card
Pension card
Health Care card
Safety Net or Concession Card
Private Health insurance membership card
Health history and a list of current medications

Admission Confirmation

If you’re coming into hospital for planned surgery, the hospital will contact you one business day prior to your scheduled admission between 3 pm and 8 pm.

During this call we will confirm your details including the time of admission, your procedure and your expectations relating to discharge and post discharge care.

Unplanned medical admissions are usually arranged via direct referral from your doctor.

What to Bring to Hospital

Please bring the following to hospital with you as applicable to you:

Medicare card
Private health insurance membership card
Pensioner card
Veterans' affairs entitlement card
Safety Net or pharmacy entitlement card
Drivers licence or accepted identification
Workers Compensation or other insurance details
Any letters from your doctor
Relevant xrays
All medications you are currently taking (in original packaging)
Blood Group card (if available)
Sleepwear, dressing gown and slippers or comfortable shoes
Personal toiletries (e.g. toothbrush, toothpaste, )
Glasses and physical aids (e.g. walking sticks, hearing aids)
Sufficient cash for incidental expenses (no more than $50

Please don’t bring the following items with you:

Talcum powder
Jewellery
Large sums of money
Other valuables

Electrical appliances (if essential, please advise the hospital staff on arrival as they must be tested by the hospital Maintenance Department for safety reasons)

Admission

On the day of your admission, ensure you arrive at the hospital at the time designated by the admissions officer or your doctor. On arrival, please register at reception.

The hospital doesn’t accept responsibility for security of your possessions, including jewellery, watches and money. Any valuables brought into the hospital can be signed into the hospital’s security safe for the duration of your stay.

Note that mobile phones shouldn’t be used in the wards, as their signals can interfere with electronic medical equipment.

Staying with Children in Hospital

We encourage parents or carers to spend as much time as possible with their child during the child’s hospitalisation. We also encourage parents or carers to assist with the washing, dressing, feeding and entertaining of your child as this helps minimise any trauma of being cared for by strangers.

Types of Accommodation

Gosford Private Hospital offers both shared and private rooms. All rooms have ensuite facilities.

While we’ll make every endeavour to provide you with your accommodation preference, please understand that in certain circumstances of high activity or emergency admissions, it may be necessary to admit you to a shared room.

Discharge

We ask you to vacate your room by 10 am on the designated day of discharge so we can prepare for the next patient.

Please check with your nurse or clinical nurse manager before leaving the ward to collect any xrays or medication, and to confirm if you have any follow up appointments.

All patients are required to report to the Main Reception on the ground floor to be formally discharged.

Main Reception hours are:

Monday-Friday: 6.30 am-8 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 8 am-8 pm

A comfortable area for you to wait for your transport home is provided in the hospital foyer.

Getting Home

It’s particularly important you arrange how you’ll get home from hospital.

It may or may not be appropriate for you to drive yourself home. Please discuss this with the hospital staff and your doctor prior to discharge.

Special arrangements can be made to assist DVA patients get home safely after their hospital stay.

Short stay Admission

Short Stay

It’s important that short stay patients are familiar with the following processes and information to ensure their day surgery or procedure runs smoothly.

Pre-Admission
Admission
Discharge

Gosford Private Hospital has a veterans’ liaison officer who can assist DVA patients and co-ordinate all aspects of their hospital stay.

Pre-Admission

Information in this section explains what happens in preparation for your admission to our Short Stay Unit.

The booking for your hospital stay will be made through your doctor’s surgery.

You’ll receive admission paperwork from your doctor's rooms.To confirm your booking, please ensure you complete the forms and return them to Gosford Private Hospital, (where possible) at least one week prior to your admission date.

In some cases, the doctor will book you in for the next day. In these cases it’s imperative that you contact us as soon as possible and speak to the administration staff to confirm your admission and details relating to your hospital stay.

Confirm Cost Coverage

The cost of the procedure will depend on your level of health insurance.

Should you have any questions regarding the cost of your procedure or surgery, please contact us and ask to speak to our pre-admission staff.

It’s your responsibility to pay for any costs you may incur on admission.

Contact your insurer (health fund, Workers Compensation insurer or other) to confirm exactly what costs will be covered. See insurance and accounts for additional information.

Admission Confirmation

It’s important to confirm your details including the date and time of admission, your procedure and your expectations relating to discharge and post discharge care.

The hospital will contact you one business day prior to your scheduled admission between 3 pm and 8 pm.

Before speaking with the administration staff, please ensure you have the following information ready as applicable to you:

Name and contact details of your next-of-kin and a second local contact person
Name and contact details of your general practitioner
Medicare card
Department of Veterans' Affairs card
Pension card
Health Care card
Safety Net or Concession card
Private health insurance membership card
Health history and a list of current medications

Getting Ready for Hospital

Please shower at home before coming to hospital
Don’t apply talcum powder, deodorant, make-up, nail polish, etc.
Please remove all body piercings
Wear loose and comfortable clothing
Please advise your admitting doctor of your current medications and confirm if you should continue to take these medications prior to your admission
If you’re bringing a child to hospital for a surgery or procedure, it’s not advisable to bring other children with you as there are no facilities at the hospital to care for them

What to Bring to Hospital

Please bring the following to hospital as applicable to you:

All medications you are currently taking (in original packaging)
Relevant xrays
Medicare card
Private health insurance membership card
Pensioner card
Veterans' affairs entitlement card
Safety Net or pharmacy entitlement card
Drivers licence or accepted identification
WorkCover or other insurance details
Any letters from your doctor
Blood Group card (if available)
Dressing gown and slippers or comfortable shoes
Glasses and physical aids (walking sticks, hearing aids, etc.)
A book to read, a walkman or iPod
Children are encouraged to bring a favourite toy or teddy.

Please don’t bring the following items with you:

Jewellery excluding a wedding ring
Large sums of money
Other valuables

The hospital doesn’t accept responsibility for the security of your possessions, including jewellery, watches and money. Any valuables brought into the hospital can be signed into the hospital’s security safe for the duration of your stay.

Note that mobile phones shouldn’t be used in some areas of the hospital, as their signals can interfere with electronic medical equipment.Admission

Fasting

Fasting details will be advised the day prior to your admission by our day surgery staff or your doctor.

If the patient is a child, he/she must be kept under continuous observation by the parent, guardian or person responsible for the welfare of the child, to ensure they have fasted.

It’s advisable to refrain from smoking a minimum of twelve hours prior to your surgery or procedure.

Cold or Illness

Please contact the hospital or your doctor if you develop an illness prior to surgery.

On Arrival

Your admission time will have been advised by the hospital’s administration staff or Pre-Admission Clinic nurse, it is important to arrive on time for your appointment as you may require medication prior to your operation.

On arrival, please register at reception.

We wish to advise that you may experience some delay or waiting time prior to your surgery. This delay is necessary to accommodate the clinical scheduling requirements of your treating doctors. We appreciate your understanding and apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

What to Expect

Many diagnostic procedures only require sedation in order to make the patient pleasantly drowsy, yet comfortable enough for the doctor to perform the necessary procedure.

Usually a sedative drug is given via a needle inserted into the back of your hand. Many patients don’t recall this, and only become aware when they are back in the recovery unit.

After your operation or procedure, you’ll be made comfortable while your condition is monitored until you’ve recovered.

Once you’ve recovered, you’ll be offered a light snack prior to discharge.

For more complex procedures, the length of stay will depend on your post operative condition.

Children

Children are encouraged to visit the hospital prior to their admission.

Family members and/or carers are invited to remain with the children before and after surgery.

Accommodation

Patients should be aware that our day surgery (short stay) facilities are shared unisex accommodation.

Discharge

All patients are required to be formally discharged by the Day Surgery Unit staff. On discharge, you’ll be given any necessary instructions, including a prescription for any medications and details of a follow up appointment with your doctor. A comfortable area for you to wait for your transport home is provided in the hospital foyer.

Getting Home

If you’ve had heavy sedation or a general anaesthetic, you won’t be permitted to leave the unit alone. Please note the following:

You’ll need to arrange to be picked up and organise a responsible adult to be present with you for the first night you are home following general anaesthesia
Staff will contact the person who is picking you up when you’re fit to go home
Transportation home by taxi is not permitted without a responsible adult who accepts responsibility to take you home
For your own comfort and safety, you shouldn’t take any alcoholic beverage for at least 24 hours after discharge
After general anaesthetic, patients aren’t permitted to drive any motor vehicle, operate machinery or make any important decisions for at least 24 hours
Special arrangements can be made to assist DVA patients get home safely after their hospital stay.

Short Stay

It’s important that short stay patients are familiar with the following processes and information to ensure their day surgery or procedure runs smoothly.
Pre-Admission
Admission
Discharge
North Gosford Private Hospital has a veterans’ liaison officer who can assist DVA patients and co-ordinate all aspects of their hospital stay.

Pre-Admission
Information in this section explains what happens in preparation for your admission to our Short Stay Unit.
Your Hospital Booking
The booking for your hospital stay will be made through your doctor’s surgery.
Complete Admission Paperwork
You’ll receive admission paperwork from your doctor's rooms.

To confirm your booking, please ensure you complete the forms and return them to North Gosford Private Hospital, (where possible) at least one week prior to your admission date.

In some cases, the doctor will book you in for the next day. In these cases it’s imperative that you contact us as soon as possible and speak to the administration staff to confirm your admission and details relating to your hospital stay.
Confirm Cost Coverage
The cost of the procedure will depend on your level of health insurance.

Should you have any questions regarding the cost of your procedure or surgery, please contact us and ask to speak to our pre-admission staff.

It’s your responsibility to pay for any costs you may incur.

Contact your insurer (health fund, Workers Compensation insurer or other) to confirm exactly what costs will be covered. See the following sections for additional information:
Insurance & Accounts
DVA
Admission Confirmation
It’s important to confirm your details including the date and time of admission, your procedure and your expectations relating to discharge and post discharge care.

The hospital will contact you the afternoon or evening prior to your admission between 3 pm and 8 pm.

Before speaking with the administration staff, please ensure you have the following information ready as applicable to you:
Name and contact details of your next-of-kin and a second local contact person
Name and contact details of your general practitioner
Medicare card
Department of Veterans' Affairs card
Pension card
Health Care card
Safety Net or Concession card
Private health insurance membership card
Health history and a list of current medications
Getting Ready for Hospital
Please shower at home before coming to hospital
Don’t apply talcum powder, deodorant, make-up, nail polish, etc.
Please remove all body piercings
Wear loose and comfortable clothing
Please advise your admitting doctor of your current medications and confirm if you should continue to take these medications prior to your admission
If you’re bringing a child to hospital for a surgery or procedure, it’s not advisable to bring other children with you as there are no facilities at the hospital to care for them
What to Bring to Hospital
Please bring the following to hospital as applicable to you:
All medications you are currently taking (in original packaging)
Relevant xrays
Medicare card
Private health insurance membership card
Pensioner card
Veterans' affairs entitlement card
Safety Net or pharmacy entitlement card
Drivers licence or accepted identification
WorkCover or other insurance details
Any letters from your doctor
Blood Group card (if available)
Dressing gown and slippers or comfortable shoes
Glasses and physical aids (walking sticks, hearing aids, etc.)
A book to read, a walkman or iPod
Children are encouraged to bring a favourite toy or teddy.
Please don’t bring the following items with you:
Jewellery excluding a wedding ring
Large sums of money
Other valuables
The hospital doesn’t accept responsibility for the security of your possessions, including jewellery, watches and money. Any valuables brought into the hospital can be signed into the hospital’s security safe for the duration of your stay.

Information sessions and support groups

Accounts & Patient Information

Visitors

Coming to Hospital