Your stay

At Caboolture Hospital, we are committed to making sure your stay with us is as comfortable as possible, and that you receive the best and safest care. When you’re in hospital, we want you to remember that while your care team are experts in their fields, you are the expert in your health, and we can get the best results when we work together. Please always speak up if you have concerns, ask if you have any questions, and let us know if there’s anything we can do to help you to understand better.

Virtual visits

Technology makes it easy to stay in touch remotely, and we really encourage you to stay connected through phone, text, email, social media or video-chat. If you’re new to video-chat, we have created some guides on how to best use your device to keep in touch. You can even use our free WiFi! Find out how to connect a patient to Wifi and download video call applications for free.

Enquiries about your health

Family and friends can call our general enquiry number (07) 5433 8888 and ask to be transferred through to your bedside phone or ward reception. To protect your privacy and confidentiality, staff will not give out specific medical information about you unless approved by you.

Your contact people

During your admission we ask you to nominate a contact person and/or a next of kin who may play a key role in your care. With your permission we will talk about your progress and condition with the people you choose and not with anyone else.

Rooms

Hospital wards are made up of single and shared rooms. Generally, each room or inpatient space includes a single hospital bed, a chair, a bedside table and a small cupboard for personal items. Each bed also has a television with free access to free-to-air TV. Free Wi-Fi is now available for patients. As many patients are unwell or recovering, we ask you to always be mindful of others and keep noise to a minimum. We ask you to use headphones with your phone/tablet where possible. While the hospital does serve public and private patients, there are no wards or rooms for private patients only.

Dentures, glasses & aids

Your items can be easily misplaced in a busy environment. Please bring a container or bag to store your dentures, glasses, hearing or walking aids. Ask staff if you need a denture container.

Electrical appliances

You may bring small electrical appliances such as a shaver or hair dryer to hospital if you wish. However, it is necessary to have these items checked and tagged as electrically safe by a certified electrician prior to admission. Faulty equipment may interfere with the operation of vital medical equipment. You are not allowed to bring television sets into the hospital. The hospital does not accept responsibility for damage to, or personal injury from, electrical items you bring with you.

What to bring

Medications

Your healthcare team will work together to make sure you are taking the appropriate medication for your care. The medication you bring with you to hospital may not be the medication you should take after your hospital stay. Your care team will talk with you about this. Please ask the pharmacist or your care team if you have any questions or concerns.

Meals

We ensure that our hospital menu is tasty while catering to the complex clinical needs of our patients. Dietetic assistants visit most patients daily to take menu orders and ensure that meals meet the needs of patients.  Please tell staff if you have any food allergies or special cultural or religious requirements.We provide a cafeteria style service in the Mental Health Unit with a range of healthy options. Throughout the hospital, meals are provided at the following times:

• Breakfast – 7.00am-8.00am
• Morning tea – 9.30am-10.30am
• Lunch – 12.00 midday-1.00pm
• Dinner – 5.00pm-6.00pm
• Supper – 6.30pm-7.30pm

Bringing food for patients

We understand some patients prefer their own food. Please note we do not take responsibility for food that is brought in by visitors for patients. We advise visitors who wish to bring food for patients to choose low risk food and check with staff before giving it to their friend/relative. Due to their health condition, some patients may become very unwell if they eat the wrong food at the wrong time.

Bringing flowers to patients

Flowers and potted plants are a lovely gift for patients. For patient safety reasons, we cannot allow flowers or potted plants in the Intensive Care Unit or near patients with respiratory issues.

Television and radio

Free-to-air television is available at each bed. Mobile devices such as phones, iPods and tablets can be brought in and used, however they remain the responsibility of patients and visitors at all times. When using personal devices, we ask you to consider other patients and use headphones whenever possible.

Keeping in touch

Mail

Mail is delivered to wards on weekdays. Any mail received after you have been discharged will be redirected to your postal address. Send mail to patients here: Patient’s full name c/ Ward …….. Locked Mail Bag 3 Caboolture Hospital CABOOLTURE QLD 4510

Your care team

During your hospital stay, you will be cared for by a team of health professionals which may include doctors, nurses, psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, social workers and support staff.

Teaching and research

As a leader in teaching and research, we work closely with universities to train future healthcare professionals. With supervision from a staff member, you may be asked if you are willing to allow a student to observe or examine you.  You may also be asked to take part in a research project. You do not have to participate and your choice will not affect the care you receive. Your information will remain strictly confidential.