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, alcohol and drugs
Smoking isn't allowed in any of our hospitals and health centres.
You can't smoke on the premises, the 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 bring them to the hospital.
Please let your visitors know that they can't smoke on the grounds of the hospital.
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.
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.
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.