What to bring
If you're staying overnight in hospital, you'll need to bring:
- your admission advice and completed admission form
- pyjamas or a night gown, dressing gown, comfortable clothes and non-slip footwear
- toiletries
- reading material, playing cards or a puzzle book to keep your mind active
- a small amount of money for things like a taxi fare home
- your mobile phone and charger
- prescription medicines
- 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.
If you're staying with a child, bring a favourite toy, nappies or any special items. Make sure you put a name label on anything you bring.
We have small lockers beside the beds if you need to use them. Please 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.
You should tell us about any surgery or infections you've had. This includes childhood illnesses such as chicken pox, measles, mumps and rubella.
Tell your nurse if you've been overseas in the past 3 weeks. Also tell them if you've had or have 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.
You'll need to make sure your details are correct and wear it until you leave hospital.
We'll ask for your ID details many times during your hospital stay to make sure the medicine or treatment is for you.
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.
If your doctor wants you to have a special diet for your condition they'll discuss this with you.
If you're having an operation, you may not be able to eat or drink for several hours before the procedure. A nurse will 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 your doctor or nurse 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 give you information about the medicine and how to take it.
No smoking, vaping, alcohol and drugs
Smoking and vaping are not permitted anywhere on hospital grounds, including buildings, entrances, car parks, or outdoor areas.
This helps protect patients, visitors, and staff and reduces fire and health risks.
Failure to comply with this may result in fines and being asked to leave the facility. Patients who smoke or vape can speak with staff about nicotine replacement options or other supports during their 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 bring them to the hospital.
Behaviour that is unsafe or disruptive, including behaviour influenced by alcohol or other substances, may result in action to maintain safety.
Wi-Fi, TV and phones
Free Wi-Fi
There's free Wi-Fi for patients, families and visitors at most of our hospitals and health services.
To connect to Wi-Fi:
- Select 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.
Due to network capacity, streaming websites for movies, radio, TV and other on-demand content such as Netflix, may not work.
TV
There may be TVs in some hospital wards and waiting areas.
Phones
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.
Calling a nurse
You can use the handset beside your hospital bed to call a nurse. Press the button once. A nurse will switch off the call request when they come.
Acceptable Behaviour
We expect all patients, visitors, and members of the public to treat others with courtesy and respect.
Unacceptable behaviours include:
- Verbal abuse, racism, swearing, threats, or intimidation, including over the phone
- Physical violence or attempted violence
- Aggressive, harassing or unwarranted phone calls
- Sexual harassment or inappropriate behaviour
- Wilful damage or theft of hospital property or property of others
- Aggressive or disruptive behaviour, including behaviour affected by alcohol or other substances
Unacceptable behaviours are not tolerated.
To keep everyone safe, staff may take action when required. This may include involving hospital security or police, restricting visiting access, issuance of fines or other appropriate steps in line with hospital policies, including discharge from care.
Everyone has a right to feel safe, and all staff, patients and visitors are encouraged to report unacceptable behaviours.
Mobility Devices
E-Bikes and E-Scooters (Personalised Mobility Devices)
E-Bikes and E-Scooters are not permitted in hospital buildings, even if they are not being ridden, due to safety risks and the risk of fire from lithium-ion batteries.
Use of E-Bikes and E-Scooters is restricted to parking or roadway areas outside the hospital to avoid endangering pedestrians, patients and staff.
While on Hospital grounds you must comply with local transport rules and regulations for personal mobility devices and general road rules.
There are no designated, secured parking facilities available at Bundaberg Hospital. E-Bikes and E-Scooters are to be parked outside hospital buildings at your own risk.
Mobility Scooters/Wheelchairs (Motorised Mobility Devices)
Motorised Mobility Devices including mobility scooters and motorised wheelchairs are permitted in hospital buildings.
Users must operate the device safely without risk to other patients, staff or visitors and abide by the Queensland Road Rules related to the use of a Motorised Mobility Device.
These devices are treated as pedestrian devices and should only be used in areas where pedestrian access is permitted. Do not drive in restricted clinical areas unless staff have given permission.
Travel at walking pace (approximately 5km/hr) to match the flow of people and reduce collision risk.
Be mindful of where you park. Do not obstruct or restrict access to public walkways, escape routes, patient care areas, emergency response equipment (fire doors/ fire extinguishers etc) or create a trip or other safety hazard.
If you require mobility assistance and cannot navigate the hospital using your own device, please attend main reception and request a wheelchair.
Support services
Counselling and spiritual care
We understand that illness, injury and time in hospital can be difficult for you and your family. We have social workers and volunteer multi-faith hospital chaplains who can help you during your treatment and recovery.
Interpreter services
We have interpreter services for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or would like to use a language other than English.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander support
We have support for Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our hospital liaison officers can provide cultural support and advice to patients, their families and carers.
Emergencies
Staff are trained to respond to emergencies. Depending on the type of emergency you may be asked to stay in your room, move to another area or prepare for evacuation. Always follow staff instructions.
If evacuation is required, staff will give instructions and assist patients based on their mobility and clinical needs.
How patients can help staff respond effectively to emergencies:
- Use the call bell immediately if you feel unwell
- Always notify staff if you need to leave the ward for any reason
- Tell staff if you notice changes in your own condition or in another patient’s behaviour or wellbeing
- Follow staff instructions during alarms or emergency announcements
- Stay calm and wait for guidance
- Keep personal items tidy and walkways clear
- Report anything that seems unusual or unsafe
Other services in our hospitals
Ask your nurse about other services at your hospital. Some of our hospitals have a canteen, hairdresser and library, postage and hairdresser services.
Find out more about the services at your hospital or health centre.