Patient Information

This information will assist patients with what they need to know prior to admission.

Completing your Admission Forms and Health Questionnaire

Please complete the three forms which you will find inside the back cover of your information booklet and deliver, post, fax or email them to us to arrive at least 7-10 working days prior to your admission. If this is not possible, e.g. if your admission is urgent or has been arranged at short notice, then please bring the completed forms with you on admission.

Deliver

Wakefield Hospital, Florence Street, Newtown, Wellington

Post

Wakefield Hospital, Private Bag 7909, Wellington South 6242
A reply-paid envelope is provided.
We recommend that you take a photocopy of the forms and bring these with you on your admission day.

Fax

(04) 381 8101

Email

admin@wakefield.co.nz

If you are unable to get these forms to us, or if you faxed or emailed them to us, please ensure that you bring the originals with you on your admission day.

About these forms

The Admission Form contains personal and payment information.
Admission Form

The Consent Form relates to your medical diagnosis and details of your treatment which will be provided to you. Please fill in the personal details only. The consent to anaesthesia and treatment must be completed in consultation with your specialist.
Consent Form

The Health Questionnaire / Nursing Assessment Form provides us with the important details about your medical history.
Health Questionnaire

We recommend you read the anaesthetic information pamphlet which you will also find inside the back cover of the booklet.

Estimates and Costs

Your specialist should discuss estimated costs with you before your admission and can usually give you an accurate estimate of the fees for their services and those of your anaesthetist. However, we recommend that you phone us prior to your admission to confirm cost estimates related to your hospital fees. The estimate we will give you will be based on current average costs and will comprise:
* Theatre fees (based on time).
* Medical supplies.
* Accommodation.
* Specialised nursing care (if applicable).
* Intensive and high-dependency care (if applicable).
* Surcharge for after-hours resident medical cover.
* Special equipment and services.

Please remember these will only be estimates. They may be higher or lower than the actual amounts you are finally charged, if your particular treatment has been more or less complex than ‘average’.

Our actual costs are charged on an ‘as used’ basis (unless a fixed price fee is applicable) and can vary significantly from patient to patient, even for the same procedure.

As well as the hospital account, you will receive separate accounts from your anaesthetist, surgeon and/or physician. If you have received radiology, physiotherapy and/or occupational therapy services during your stay, their charges will also be invoiced separately to you.

Additional Costs

Occupational Therapy

We can facilitate an occupational therapist to visit you at home to assist with your requirements on discharge. There is an additional cost for this.

Ambulance Transfer Costs

In the unlikely event that your condition deteriorates and requires the care of another facility, a transfer will be arranged. In the case of private patients there is a fee charged by Wellington Ambulance Services. If the transfer requires the involvement of the Capital & Coast DHB Medical Retrieval Team (for acutely ill patients) there is also a fee charged by the public hospital. This fee may not be covered by medical insurance.

Prior to coming to hospital

If there have been any recent changes in your health please ensure that your anaesthetist, surgeon or Wakefield nursing staff is advised at the earliest opportunity. For example, if you develop a cold, infection or flu, or suffer an asthma attack prior to your admission to hospital you should let one of the above know as soon as possible as it may be necessary to postpone your operation.

The night before and on the day of your surgery take extra care of your body:

* Do not shave near where you will be having surgery. Shaving can irritate your skin and this may lead to infection.
* Keep warm.
* Wear warm clothes to the hospital and, in cold weather, heat up the car before you get in. Keeping warm before surgery can lower your chance of getting an infection.
* Please shower and wash your hair prior to admission, particularly if you expect to be unable to do this for a few days after your operation. (We recommend that you do not have your hair permed or set immediately before coming into hospital for major surgery.)
Please remove all your make-up, nail polish, body piercings and jewellery prior to admission.
* If applicable, please leave your medic alert bracelet/pendant on.

Medications

Discuss with your specialist any regular medications you are taking, and bring all your usual medications in the original containers to hospital with you, including herbal and dietary supplements.

A detailed list from your general practitioner will help our doctors chart the correct medications for you.

If you are being admitted on the day of your surgery, continue to take your regular medications as prescribed unless advised otherwise.

Patients on anticoagulants need to take special care. Anticoagulants (e.g. Warfarin, Plavix, Persantin) should not be taken prior to surgery without consulting your specialist.

Aspirin or Disprin is usually, but not always, discontinued in the week prior to surgery. Please check with your specialist.

Failure to stop taking your anticoagulant medications as advised could result in your surgery being postponed.

Eating and drinking before your anaesthetic

If you are undergoing surgery, your stomach must be empty and therefore it is very important to ask your specialist whether you should fast (neither eat nor drink, which includes chewing gum and sweets) before admission, and from what time. Here are some general guidelines, but you will receive specific instructions from your specialist.

Adults and children over 2 years

Do not eat anything for 6 hours before your admission time. You may drink WATER freely up until 2 hours before your admission, then nothing more.

Children under 2 years

Cow’s milk or formula may be taken up to 6 hours prior to admission time, and breast milk up to 4 hours before admission. WATER only may be drunk up to 2 hours before admission.

These instructions are for your safety and well-being. Please follow them closely. If your surgeon or anaesthetist gives you other instructions, you must comply with them. Your operation may have to be postponed if you do not follow these guidelines.

Alcohol, cigarettes and drugs

We recommend that you avoid alcohol, cigarettes and drugs (other than your prescribed drugs) during the 24 hours prior to your admission.

Transport to hospital on day of admission

In case of traffic congestion, please allow yourself plenty of time to get to the hospital. It is always better to be early rather than late and you will feel more relaxed. However, if unavoidable circumstances delay your arrival, please telephone us.

What to bring to hospital

* Your admission forms and health questionnaire (or copies if already posted to us).
* X-rays and scans relevant to your surgery.
* All your usual medications (including herbal and dietary supplements) in their original containers – please refer to important 'medications' information above.
* Your medical insurance company’s letter of prior approval.
* ACC’s letter authorising your treatment in a private hospital.
* Glasses and physical aids (walking sticks, hearing aids, etc).
* Comfortable clothing and footwear.
* It is a good idea for children to bring their favourite toy or blanket.

Patients staying one or more nights:

* Suitable nightwear and dressing gown.
* Slippers.
* Toiletries.
* Reading and writing material.

Please do not bring to hospital

* Large amounts of cash.
* Jewellery.
* Other valuables.

While we take great care to secure personal effects, Wakefield Hospital cannot guarantee their security and cannot accept responsibility for their safekeeping.

Admission

When you arrive at Wakefield, you will be greeted at reception and then taken to your bed and shown the Ward facilities. A nurse will take your blood pressure, heart rate and temperature and will also discuss any relevant medical information with you i.e. allergies, medications and medical history. You will be asked to change into a theatre gown and you may also be given a ‘pre-medication’ before going to the operating theatre. A ‘pre-medication’ is a tablet or tablets to relax you if you are nervous, or to help with your pain relief after the operation. Your nurse will then accompany you to the operating theatre.

Once your surgery is complete our recovery-room staff will take care of you until you are ready to return to your room. If you are having complex surgery you may be transferred directly from theatre to our Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or High Dependency Unit (HDU) where you will be closely monitored.

Primary responsibility for your care is with your specialist, however Wakefield Hospital provides a doctor on duty after hours, 7 days a week. In addition, full-time cardiology specialists are on call 24 hours per day.

We welcome enquiries from you and your support people about your treatment at any time.

Children

We encourage children to bring their favourite toys with them. A visit in advance of their admission is recommended so that they will be familiar with the hospital when they are admitted.

If you are a parent or caregiver, you may stay with your child overnight if you wish. Please arrange this with our admissions staff as soon as possible.

Chaplains

Wakefield has the services of an inter-denominational chaplain. If you wish to be visited by a chaplain of your own faith, please ask your nurse.

Communications

Family and friends can phone you directly by dialling (04) 381 8100. When the phone is answered by the automatic answer service you will be given the option of dialling the extension you require. Dial 6 followed by the room number, i.e. room 301 would be 6301.

Personal calls cannot be transferred on our 0800 number.

Fax facilities are available at reception. Unfortunately, internet facilities are not available.

Cell phones should be used only in reception and patient lounges.

Cultural Needs

Please let us know if you have any spiritual or cultural needs. Should the services of an interpreter be required, please let us know well in advance of your surgery to ensure that this is arranged. There is a cost for this service.

Education and Training

Qualified and experienced nursing staff provide high-quality clinical care. Their participation in ongoing training and education is actively encouraged. Throughout the year Wakefield Hospital is visited by trainee doctors, nurses, pharmacists and physiotherapists. An essential part of their training is contact with patients, which occurs only under the direct supervision of senior staff or consultants. Such contact, obviously, requires the support and consent of the patients involved and this is very much appreciated by trainees and senior staff. Your consent for trainees to be present will always be sought prior to any consultation or treatment.

Please feel free to ask us questions at any time. We also appreciate suggestions and feedback as we strive to provide the very best patient care.

Parking

Free parking is provided within the hospital grounds. Please note that Wakefield accepts no responsibility for car security.

Patient Rooms

At Wakefield we endeavour to give our patients a choice of room to suit their needs. Irrespective of your choice, you will receive the same high standard of nursing care.

Overnight patients have a choice (subject to availability and appropriate to your operation) of a private room with ensuite bathroom, or a studio room with shared bathroom.

If you are a day patient, you will be cared for in a studio room unless you have requested a private room (subject to availability on the day). Our fees vary accordingly and will be confirmed when we talk with you prior to your admission.

There are 48 private rooms with ensuite, 5 ICU/HDU beds, 3 endoscopy beds, 15 studio beds with shared facilities and 5 La-Z-Boy chairs for short-stay and pre-admission patients.

All patients’ rooms have private TV (Sky), radio and telephone, and a complimentary copy of the daily newspaper is provided.

Smoke-Free Site

A smoke-free policy applies throughout the hospital and grounds, including the apartments.

Visiting

Your visitors are welcome between 9.00am and 9.00pm and outside these hours by arrangement. Please note that Level 2 (the Cardiac Ward), ICU and HDU are closed for a rest period between 1pm and 3pm daily.

You have a right to limit your visitors or not have visitors at all. Please talk to your nurse to arrange this.

We do ask that you show courtesy to other patients and nursing staff by limiting noise and the number of visitors present at any one time.

Discharge

The discharge process is important because it ensures that your care is formally transferred from the hospital to your specialist and/or general practitioner.

The nursing staff will assist in the arrangements for your discharge, in consultation with you and your specialist.

A discharge form will be completed by medical or nursing staff outlining details of your procedure and requirements for post operative appointments. You and your general practitioner will receive a copy.

Please ensure that you see a member of the nursing staff before you leave the Ward or Short Stay Unit to ensure that all medical checks have been completed, and then call at Reception to complete our checkout procedures and to settle any account due at that time.

Overnight patients

If you have stayed overnight we ask that you vacate your room by 10.00am on the day you are discharged, so please arrange your transport accordingly. If this is not possible you are welcome to wait in any of the patient or visitor lounges. If you wish to remain in your room after 10.00am on the day you are leaving, please discuss this with the Nurse Manager the day before. This will depend on bed availability, and a late-discharge fee will apply.

Day Patients

Your specialist will have given you some idea of how long you will need to stay after your operation. The nursing staff in our Short Stay Unit will discuss this with you on admission. Please make your travel arrangements accordingly.

Transport

You should not drive yourself home after discharge. Please arrange to be taken home by a relative or friend in a private car, or use a taxi (we recommend that you do not use public transport).

When you get home

You should arrange for a responsible adult to stay with you for 24 hours after you get home. We recommend that you rest and follow the instructions of your doctor and/or hospital staff.

In the first 24 hours following surgery you should not drive a vehicle or operate any machinery. You are also advised not to make any important decisions, sign any legal documents or drink alcohol.

Follow-up

In most cases you will need to make a follow-up appointment with your specialist if an appointment has not already been arranged for you by our staff. This is usually done by ringing your specialist within a day or so of leaving the hospital. If you have any problems before that appointment please contact your specialist or general practitioner immediately.

If you have requested a phone follow-up on your health questionnaire, a member of the nursing staff will telephone you (subject to your availability) a few days after you leave Wakefield to see how you are and to answer any queries you might have.

Please ring your specialist or general practitioner if you require medical advice after your discharge.

Payment of Accounts

All patients are admitted on the understanding that they have made arrangements to pay the hospital’s accounts. For some procedures, or when Wakefield Hospital considers
it appropriate, this will mean settling the hospital account either in part or in full prior to the procedure being undertaken. Either your surgeon or the hospital will advise you if this is the case.

In addition, the payment of a refundable bond may be required, on or before your discharge, for any mobility equipment loaned to you by the hospital.

To assist you, EFTPOS is available, and Mastercard, American Express and Visa credit cards are accepted. We also accept Mastercard and Visa credit-card payments over the telephone. If paying by cheque, please make it payable to‘Wakefield Health Ltd’.

Some medical insurance policies will refund only a portion of your hospital account. A prompt claim from your insurer, and settlement by you of any shortfall, is expected. It is advisable to contact your medical insurer prior to surgery to obtain prior approval. This will speed up the processing of your claim and may indicate to you in advance, the level of reimbursement you can expect from your insurer. If you require assistance with the completion of a Claims Form, please ask our reception or accounts staff to help you.

In addition to the hospital account, you are likely to receive separate accounts from your surgeon, anaesthetist, radiology and laboratory, as well as other specialists, if applicable. You should pay their fees directly to them.

ACC Patients

ACC often authorises treatment in a private hospital. Please bring your letter of approval and present it to the receptionist on admission. If your surgery has been approved under an ACC elective contract, there is no charge to you other than the bond for mobility equipment and any ancillary charges that you may incur. If approval is granted under ACC Regulations, and you have no medical insurance, the shortfall applicable is due for payment on discharge.

Surgery cannot go ahead without ACC approval. We suggest that you confirm this with your surgeon prior to admission in order to avoid any embarrassment to you and the delay of your treatment.

Terms and Conditions of Payment

The following are our terms and conditions of payment:

Wakefield Hospital payment terms are 7 days following date of invoice. Any balance remaining unpaid 1 month after the date of invoice will attract interest at the rate of 14% per annum. Interest will be calculated daily from the due date of invoice and may be added to the outstanding balance at the end of each calendar month, up to the actual date of payment. Any debt collection, legal or other costs incurred in the collection of outstanding amounts will also be payable by you, the debtor. Any variation to these terms will be at the discretion of Wakefield Hospital management.

If there is a delay with your insurance claim, or another reason that you are not able to pay our account within 7 days (1 month for insurance claims) of the date of invoice, please ensure you contact us before the due date.

If you have any queries or concerns regarding your hospital account please discuss these with the Wakefield Hospital accounts staff.