What to bring
When you stay in hospital, you need to bring:
- your admission advice and completed admission form
- pyjamas or a night gown, dressing gown, comfortable clothes and non-slip footwear
- toiletries
- your mobile phone and charger
- prescribed medicines and x-rays or scans
- glasses, hearing aids and any mobility or medical aids
- the name and contact number for your next of kin
- your Medicare card, Pensioner Concession Card or Health Care Card
- health fund details
- WorkCover details, if your illness or injury happened because of work
- any current advance health directive or enduring power of attorney
- something to read, or playing cards or puzzles.
If you're staying with a child, bring their favourite toy, nappies or any special items. Make sure you put name labels on anything you bring.
Don't bring expensive items or large amounts of money with you. If they go missing, we won't accept responsibility for them.
Medical history
We may ask you about your medical history when we admit you. Knowing this helps us keep you, our staff and other patients safe.
Tell us about any allergies, surgery or infections you've had, including childhood illnesses such as chicken pox, measles, mumps and rubella.
Tell your nurse if you've been overseas in the past 3 weeks, or if you've got or recently had:
- a cough or cold
- diarrhoea or vomiting
- open wounds or weeping skin sores.
ID band
You’ll wear an identification (ID) band on your wrist or ankle while you stay in hospital. This helps us make sure you get the right medicines, treatments and procedures.
We'll ask you to check your details are correct and you'll wear it until you leave hospital.
Meals
You can usually choose what you get for breakfast, lunch and dinner each day on a menu card. We'll also offer you morning and afternoon tea and supper.
Let us know if you have a food allergy, special diet or need to speak to a dietitian.
Your doctor will let you know if you need to be on a special diet for your condition.
If you're having an operation, you may not be able to eat or drink for several hours before the procedure. We'll talk to you about this in your pre-admission appointment.
Medicines
Please bring your own medicines with you in their original packaging. You can bring vitamins, herbal supplements or prescriptions from your GP.
Tell us if you're allergic to any medicines. You can also talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist about your medicines. They'll be happy to answer your questions.
If we give you a new medicine while you're in hospital, we'll tell you why, what it is and how to take it.
No smoking, alcohol and drugs
Smoking isn't allowed in any of our hospitals and health centres.
You can't smoke on the premises, grounds, or within 5 metres of their boundaries. This rule applies to all staff, patients, visitors, contractors and other people who enter our buildings, grounds or vehicles.
If you smoke, talk to your nurse about getting Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) like chewing gum or patches during your stay.
You can't use alcohol or illegal drugs at any of our hospitals or health centres. Don't bring them to hospital, and ask your visitors not to.
Wi-Fi, TV and phones
Free Wi-Fi
Most of our hospitals have free Wi-Fi for everyone to use.
To connect to Wi-Fi:
- Choose the QH-FreeWiFi network on your device.
- Read the Queensland Health Wi-Fi Internet Terms of Use that appear on your device.
- Agree and accept the terms of use to connect.
You’ll need to re-accept the terms of use after 12 hours of continuous use, or if your device is inactive for more than 30 minutes.
Streaming websites for movies, radio, TV and other on-demand content such as Netflix, may not work.
Phones and TV
Some hospital wards and waiting areas have TVs.
You can use your mobile phone in most parts of the hospital, including your room. We'll let you know if you can't use it.
Our rooms have phones for incoming calls. If you need to make a phone call and don't have a mobile phone, talk to your nurse.
Please don't photograph staff without asking for their permission first.
Counselling and spiritual care
We understand that illness, injury and time in hospital can be difficult for you and your family. Our social workers and multi-faith hospital chaplains can help you during your treatment and recovery. They can also help you cope during a time of crisis, grief or loss.
If you’re staying at Ipswich Hospital, we can arrange a chaplain from your faith to visit you. Ask a nurse or call 07 3810 1450, Monday to Friday between 9 am and 1 pm. At other times, one of our on-call chaplains may be able to visit you.
People of all faiths can visit our Worship Centre, Level 7 Tower Block, Ipswich Hospital. We hold the following memorial services for patients, families and carers.
- Early pregnancy loss – held the last Wednesday of each month, except in December
- Palliative care – held in May and November each year
Interpreter services
If you're hearing impaired or would like to use a language other than English, you can use an interpreter. Interpreters are free and you can use their services 24 hours a day.
You can ask us for an interpreter or you can use a Queensland interpreter card when you're in hospital or going to appointments. This card lets us know that you need an interpreter in the language printed on your card.
You can ask for a Queensland interpreter card by emailing MAQ@dlgrma.qld.gov.au.