Visitor information
Visiting hours and wards
We encourage family and friends to visit our patients during their stay. Visiting hours are flexible, and vary from ward to ward. Some wards/areas have restricted visiting hours due to the nature of care being provided in that particular clinical area and most wards have rest periods. Visitors can ask ward staff about the particular visiting arrangements for the ward where their relative or friend is staying.
Visitors are asked to consider the needs of other patients in the room. The nurse unit manager is responsible for the ward and may ask visitors to leave, or restrict visitors during medical and nursing procedures and in emergency situations. Visitors should not attend the hospital if they have a potentially infectious illness (e.g. coughs or colds, gastro symptoms). Children are to be accompanied by an adult at all times.
To contact a ward, phone our switchboard on (07) 3139 4000 and ask to be put through.
Enquiries about a patient’s health
Family and friends can call our general enquiry number and ask to be transferred through to a patient’s bedside phone or ward reception. To protect patient privacy and confidentiality, staff will not provide specific medical information.
General enquiry phone: (07) 3139 4000
Mobile phone use
Mobile phones can be used within the hospital. Some units and areas may ask visitors to restrict mobile phone use, due to the presence of sensitive medical equipment and the level of illness of patients. Please adhere to signage about mobile phone usage in the area you are visiting.
As many wards have rooms which accommodate more than one patient at a time, family members and visitors are asked to show courtesy and discretion when using their mobile phone in the ward area.
Hospital staff are issued with cordless phones that do not interfere with sensitive equipment.
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 to check with staff before giving food items to their relative. Please be aware that due to food safety regulations, ward fridges are cleaned daily and opened food/fluids discarded after 24 hours.
Bringing flowers to patients
Flowers and potted plants are a lovely gift for patients. Please check with nursing staff before bringing in flowers. For patient safety reasons, we cannot allow flowers or potted plants in the following specialised areas:
- Intensive Care
- Coronary Care Units
Please do not bring oriental lilies due to staff allergies. Flowers can be purchased from the Common Good Cafe and Coffee Shop.
Your appointment (outpatients)
Your outpatient appointment is to see a specialist or clinician about your condition without being admitted into hospital. You may have an outpatient appointment before and/or after your admission to hospital.
Expectations on entry
We’re committed to delivering excellent patient-centred care and high-quality health services and ask that you treat our staff with respect.To provide a safe and comfortable environment where patients, visitors and staff are treated with respect and dignity, the following behaviours are not acceptable:
- Aggressive behaviour, harassment and intimidation
- Rude or threatening language or name calling
- Physical attacks to people or property
- Obscene, racist, sexist or demeaning language
Refusal to comply with these behaviour expectations may result in removal or discharge from the hospital.
Our staff are required to report all incidents. Security officers are available 24/7 and can be called in any situation where people feel threatened or unsafe and, in some situations, police will be called. Assault is a crime and it is our policy to cooperate with police to prosecute anyone who assaults a healthcare worker.
Thank you for joining us in our commitment to providing a safe, comfortable and respectful environment for us all.
Smoke free environment
Smoking is not permitted on the hospital grounds.
The Queensland Tobacco Laws ban smoking at hospitals and on campus grounds within 5 metres of its boundary. Fines do apply and will be issued as per The Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011.
If you are a patient who smokes and want to give up, we can help you with free Nicotine Replacement Therapy or alternatives. Please ask your clinical staff for advice on treatment or phone the anonymous and confidential QUITLINE service on 131 848.
We strongly advise that you do not leave the ward area to smoke. Leaving the ward is at your own risk and against the advice of your medical team. Hospital equipment must not be taken off hospital grounds.
In no event or circumstances shall Queensland Health be liable for any injury, harm or damages incurred by you choosing to exit the hospital buildings and/or grounds for the purposes of smoking.
Toilets
Toilets are located on every floor of the hospital for patient and visitor use. Please ask staff for the toilet closest to you.
Breast feeding facilities
A Mother’s Room is located in the hospital’s Education Centre near the toilets.
Contact us
The Prince Charles Hospital
Located: Rode Road
CHERMSIDE QLD 4032
Phone: (07) 3139 4000