General information
Your hospital admission will be arranged by your doctor who will inform you of the day and in some cases, the time you need to come to hospital.
Often the hospital may also phone you to confirm your admission time but follow your doctor's instructions if you don't hear from the hospital.
On your admission day, please go to the main reception desk located close to the main entrance of the hospital.
After your admission has been registered by our reception team you will be transferred to an appropriate admission area.
North Eastern Rehabilitation Centre offers a high standard of accommodation with both private and shared rooms.
All rooms have ensuite facilities (note some are shared), specifically designed for maximum access.
While we will 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 offer you a shared room.
Our rooms all have personal bedside televisions, with radio, telephones and nurse call facilities.
Local calls are free of charge.
Your discharge from hospital will be authorised by your doctor.
The nursing staff will assist you to make the necessary travel arrangements to get home and initiate or resume any services which you require in the community.
On discharge you will be supplied with all the information necessary for any follow up care or appointments.
Discharge time is 10am.
If you are likely to experience difficulty leaving by this time, please speak with the Nurse Unit Manager in advance.
Before leaving the hospital, please present to the nurse’s station of the ward you are on to collect any appointments, letters, medication or x-rays.
As you continue to exit we ask you also stop by the reception desk located at the front entrance to finalise any outstanding accounts.
It is not recommended that patients bring in electrical items i.e. hair dryers, electric shavers and radios.
If there is an electrical item that you will require during your stay, our Maintenance Department are required to check the equipment prior to usage.
There is no responsibility accepted by the hospital for loss or damage to your personal computer.
Insured patients and private health insurance
Healthscope has agreements with the majority of private health funds to cover the hospital charges for your admission.
Depending on your level of cover, some policies require you to pay an excess or co-payment and you will be asked to pay this prior to, or on admission.
In addition, health fund policies require members to serve waiting periods before they will provide cover, and some levels of cover have excluded services.
Pre-existing ailment rules may also apply and your cover may be subject to these rules. We therefore strongly recommend that you contact your health fund to confirm your cover prior to your admission.
Your account for hospitalisation will include your accommodation and theatre fees and other chargeable items in accordance with Healthscope's current fee agreement with your health fund.
You will be asked to complete and sign a health insurance claim form on admission. We will submit your claim directly to your health fund on your behalf.
It is important that you know that in the event that your health fund rejects your claim for reimbursement for any reason, the hospital will seek to recover any amounts outstanding from you. This is why it is important that you check your level of cover with your health fund prior to admission.
Self funded / without private health fund cover
If you are a self funded patient you may be required to pay an estimate of the total amount of the hospital account prior to admission to confirm your booking or the estimated total cost on admission.
You will be required to pay any positive difference in your account on discharge. If the amount paid by you was in excess of the amount required to cover the cost of your care you will receive a refund from the hospital.
Estimated hospital costs will be provided prior to your admission by your Doctor or the hospital. We endeavour at all times to provide an accurate estimate, but unforeseen circumstances can occur and additional costs may be incurred.
Workcover / Worksafe / Third Party Insurance
If your admission is as a result of a Workcover / Worksafe, Third Party or Public Liability claim, the hospital will require prior written approval for your admission from the relevant insurance company. Your admission cannot be confirmed or proceed until this approval is received.
Any claims that have not been approved by the insurance company will be treated as a self funded admission and the estimated hospital costs will be payable by you.
Payment methods prior to or on admission the hospital accepts cash, bank cheques, money orders, EFTPOS, Visa and MasterCard for any amounts payable. A credit card surcharge of 1.5% applies for VISA and MasterCard. Personal cheques are not accepted.
If choosing to pay by EFTPOS, please note that most financial institutions have a daily limit of $1,000.
To assist with communication, phone interpreters can be arranged for non-English speaking patients and/or their carers.
A fee may be charged to patients for this service.
Please notify your nurse if this service is required.
Incoming mail is sorted and distributed each weekday.
Mail for discharged patients will be readdressed and forwarded.
Stamped mail may be handed to reception staff for posting.
If you are taking medications at home, prescribed or otherwise, please bring these into hospital with you.
The medical and nursing staff will then be better able to identify and maintain your needs.
This medication will be used throughout your inpatient stay and replaced as necessary.
The nursing staff will store these securely for the duration of your stay.
As per legal requirement, controlled drugs (eg: valium, oxycontin) must be stored in the ward safe and will be returned to you on discharge.
Access to pastoral care is available upon request, please speak to your nursing staff for assistance.
The Front Office is staffed for your convenience between the following hours.
Family and close friends may enquire about your condition by calling the ward on:
Phone: 03 9474 8900
Monday 8:00 am – 7:30 pm
Tuesday 8:00 am – 7:30 pm
Wednesday 8:00 am – 7:30 pm
Thursday 8:00 am – 7:30 pm
Friday 8:00 am – 7:30 pm
Saturday 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Sunday Closed
Patients are asked to leave valuables at home.
If you inadvertently arrive with jewellery, large amounts of money or any other valuables, please ask family members to take them home.
North Eastern Rehabilitation Centre is very proud to acknowledge our veterans.
Please identify yourself and staff will inform our Veterans' Liaison Officer who is available to assist with any needs or enquiries.
A visit from the RSL can be arranged if desired by you.
The North Eastern Rehabilitation Centre is a DVA Tier 1 hospital.
What you will need to bring with you to North Eastern Rehabilitation Centre
- All medication
- Any prescribed equipment or aids (wheelchairs, frame or crutches)
- A small amount of money for newspapers etc.
- Book, writing paper, pen, address book, etc.
- Concession card (seniors Health Benefit or Pension Card)
- Day clothes (comfortable and suitable for physiotherapy, well-fitting shoes, thongs and swimming costume if hydrotherapy is prescribed)
- Medicare Card
- Medical Insurance card/details
- Safety Net Card (once you have reached level for this year)
- Sleep wear
- Toiletries (soap, tissues, toothpaste etc.)
- Veterans’ Affairs entitlement card.
On the day of your admission every endeavour will be made to provide you with your preferred bed accommodation but this will be dependent on current bed availability.