Coming to Peter Mac as an inpatient
We want your stay to be as comfortable and stress-free as possible. We strive to minimize waiting times and will keep you informed of any delays.
If you need an interpreter, please let us know in advance so we can arrange one for you.
What to Bring:
- Your identification and health insurance cards
- Your Advanced Care Planning documents (if you have them)
- Comfortable clothing and footwear
- Pyjamas and dressing gown
- Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo etc.)
- Any prescribed medications including vitamins in their original containers
- A list of emergency contacts
- Book, knitting, crossword puzzle or other personal entertainment items
- Mobile phone and charger
- Glasses (if you wear them)
- Hearing Aid (if you wear one)
- Walking or mobility aid (if needed)
What NOT to Bring:
- Large amounts of cash or valuables
- Expensive jewellery or irreplaceable items
- Hot water bottles or wheat bags
- Alcohol, illicit drugs and drug paraphernalia
Please note that patients and visitors are not allowed to bring or consume illicit drugs or alcohol on hospital premises. Any alcohol, illicit drugs or drug paraphernalia found will be safely confiscated and disposed of in accordance with hospital policy.
For more information about the services and resources available to you, and how to access them, please visit Becoming a Peter Mac patient.
Preparing for your first appointment
You should have received a letter with the date, time, and location of your first appointment.
We understand that your first visit may be a bit overwhelming, so we encourage you to bring a family member or friend for support. It is best to organise this well in advance.
Before your first appointment you will need to complete a Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), which helps us tailor our care to your specific needs.
This questionnaire will be sent to you via email or through a link to our patient portal, Health Hub.
It is important to complete this questionnaire before your appointment. If you have any questions, please contact your Patient Navigator.
On the day of your appointment, please go to the main reception desk at the indicated campus.
Our staff will guide you through any necessary registration and direct you to the appropriate department.
For a checklist of what to bring to your first appointment, please refer to the Peter Mac patient information brochure.
Being discharged from Peter Mac
Different members of your treating team will visit you each day to plan your treatments and review your progress with you. These conversations will include discussions to help plan for being discharged - that is, when you leave hospital.
The staff caring for you begin to plan for your discharge when you arrive at Peter Mac and sometimes even beforehand. They will ask you lots of questions about you where you live and who you live with as well as what help you may need when you return home.
This is known as ‘discharge planning and your answers help us to make sure you’re safe once you leave hospital.
Once our staff work our when you can be safely discharged, they will aim to have you ready to leave by 10am on the day.
Wherever possible, we’ll give you and your family or carer at least one day’s notice prior to you being discharged so you have time to plan and make the necessary arrangements.
Some patients still continue to receive treatment on the day they’re scheduled for discharge and if that is the case then we’ll work with you to let you know what time you’ll be ready to leave.
Being picked up by your family/carer
If your family or carer can’t pick you up straight away, then you may be transferred to our Wellbeing Centre on Level 1. The Wellbeing Centre is a safe and comfortable space for you to wait after you’ve been discharged and is open between 9am – 5pm from Monday to Friday.
The Transport Lounge on the Ground Floor is another welcoming place where you can wait to be picked up – particularly on weekends or after 5pm on weekdays.
Our staff will help guide you to the best place for you to wait.
How patient identification protects you and your loved ones
Patients' identify needs to be checked by Food Services staff each time meals are delivered.
This video explains the process of the three-point identification check and why it needs to occur.