Information for patients
This information is provided to answer common questions about your stay or visit to Timaru Hospital. If you have any questions not covered below please contact the hospital on 03 687 2100.
| What happens | Behaviours | Facilities | Your care |
|---|---|---|---|
What we can both expect
We want your hospital experience to be a positive one. It’s useful to understand what you can expect from us, and us from you. The Code of Patients Rights leaflet is available in every patient area. Please ask for a copy. Posters describing our Policy of Care are also displayed throughout the hospital.
- Be open and honest about your health, so we can work together to plan your care.
- Don't smoke, drink alcohol or use illicit drugs.
- Always wear your identification bracelet unless otherwise instructed by staff.
- Don’t leave the ward without checking with a nurse, as we need to know where you are at all times.
- Label all clothing and don’t bring any valuables to hospital. While we make every effort, we can’t be responsible for your possessions.
- Follow staff instructions in the event of an emergency.
- Don’t use cell phones within one metre of any medical equipment or anywhere in ICU/CCU.
- Prepare for medical procedures according to the instructions given to you. if in doubt, ring the department or ask a staff member.
- Respect the rights of other patients and staff.
- Respect hospital property and return anything loaned.
- Tell us if you feel your rights are not being met to your satisfaction, or if you are unsure about any aspect of your care.
- Tell us if you have any spiritual or cultural needs that are not being met.
We support your right to be fully informed about your health situation and care. Please don’t hesitate to ask for more information or to question anything you don’t understand. We encourage the support of a close relative/whanau or friend and we are happy to discuss how they can be involved in your care. If your child/tamariki is a patient and you want to stay with them, please discuss this with ward staff.
Many staff will be involved in your care
You can expect all staff to introduce themselves and explain their role in your care. All staff wear identity badges. While in hospital you will be under the care of a specialist consultant, who may have the support of a house surgeon. During the week you will be seen daily by a doctor. During weekends a doctor will see you if needed. You will always have a nurse or key worker assigned to your care. If you need help at any time, use the call button at your bedside and in bathrooms to ring your nurse.
Your nurse will be supported by a team of other professionals including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, psychologists, dieticians, pharmacy staff, radiology technicians, social workers, care assistants, and administrative staff. You can ask to see any of these people.
Information about your healthcare
We collect information about you and your health for many reasons - to provide you with appropriate care, to keep you and others safe, to plan for and fund health services, to carry out teaching and research, and for statistical purposes. We share this information with others involved in your care. Be assured that your information is kept secure and only authorised people have access to it. This may include other agencies, where authorised by law. You have the right to request copies of any information Timaru Hospital holds about you and to request changes to inaccurate information. Please contact the Privacy Officer if you have any questions.
Privacy Officer
Te Wharu Ora South Canterbury
Private Bag 911
Queen Street
Timaru
Phone: 03 687 2288
Fax: 03 687 2129
Email: privacy@scdhb.health.nz
We welcome your feedback
Timaru Hospital staff want to improve the services we provide. We welcome your suggestions and comments, positive or negative, as part of our efforts to identify what we do well and what we could do better. Please let staff know immediately if you are unhappy with any part of your care so issues can be resolved. Learn more about concerns about your care and feedback.
Timaru Hospital is smokefree
Te Wharu Ora South Canterbury is a smokefree environment and workplace. This means smoking is not allowed in any building or surrounding grounds. Help, advice and nicotine replacement therapy is available if you experience difficulties regarding smoking — just ask ward staff. Learn more about Smokefree at Te Wharu Ora South Canterbury.
Items to bring with you to hospital
- Any items specifically requested in the letter sent to you confirming your admission date.
- Medications prescribed by your doctor and any others you are currently taking.
- Any private x-rays or scans.
- Nightwear, dressing gown, day clothing and slippers.
- Soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, shaving kit, comb, brush, sanitary items if required, and tissues.
- Glasses or contact lenses, hearing aid, walking aid, dentures.
- A favourite toy or blanket for a child.
- Change for the telephone.
- Pen, paper, books, magazines. Please remember, we cannot take responsibility for your belongings. Any personal items left after your discharge will be disposed of if we cannot identify the owner.
Discharge from hospital
Our aim is to discharge patients by 11.00 am. Please make sure you have made arrangements to be picked up.
Visitors
We ask visitors to check with ward reception on arrival to ensure their family member or friend is accepting visitors.
In general, wards are open to visitors between 2.00 pm and 8.00 pm, but there are some exceptions. Some wards provide a “patient rest period” and visitors are not admitted during this time. Because visiting times vary across the hospital, it pays to ask ward staff what hours they are currently open.
Visiting Coronary Care, Intensive Care, and Neonatal Intensive Care is by appointment only. Learn more about visiting a patient.
Keeping infection out of the hospital
It is important to practice good hygiene while in hospital and stay safe from common infections.
Tell your visitors to stay away if they have experienced diarrhoea, vomiting or flu symptoms in the past 48 hours. A telephone can be borrowed to speak to people who may be infectious.
Patients are encouraged to wash their hands or use alcohol hand gel before eating, and after visiting other parts of the hospital. Visitors should also wash their hands or use hand gel at the beginning of their visit, and as they leave the bedside.
If an infection is suspected or identified, sometimes a patient will be cared for in isolation. There are special precautions to be taken when visiting an isolated patient. Please talk to staff if you have any questions.
Electronic devices
Cellphones and electronic devices can interfere with medical equipment. Please do not use these items within one metre of medical equipment or anywhere in ICU/CCU. If in doubt, check with your nurse. We ask that you comply with any staff request to turn off these items.
Public telephones are available at the hospital’s main entrance, in the stairwells on levels 2 and 3 of the Clinical Services Block, and opposite Surgical Ward reception on level 5. Each ward also has a telephone for patient use – please ask your nurse.
Please refrain from taking photos and videos within the hospital. If you do take a photo or video please ensure you have permission from all persons (including staff) before taking the image.
Televisions are available in the patient lounge of each ward. You may bring your own devices e.g. radio, headphones, and TV by prior arrangement. Please note that any personal electrical items (i.e. TV, radio, hairdryer, shaver, etc) must be checked by hospital electricians before they can be used.
Hospital FM 88.1 is on air 24/7 with local broadcasts on evenings and weekends. Outside these times the station carries “The Sound” programming. Requests can be made by phoning 687 2299 within the hospital.
Parking
120-minute parking is available in the car park near the main hospital entrance, which has six disabled spaces, and along Queen Street. There are also two car park areas off Edward Street. Parking on High Street has no time limit. Car parks are unsupervised. Vehicles are left at the owner’s risk.
Non-New Zealand residents
You will be required to provide proof of eligibility for publicly-funded health services; for example, details of your work, student or residency visa. If you cannot provide this proof, you will be required to pay for the health services you receive.
Advocacy service
A free, independent Advocacy Service is available to support you, your relatives and whānau, and help ensure your rights are respected. Information is available on their website (www.advocacy.org.nz) and they can be contacted on 03 687 2291.
Hospital Chaplain and Chapel
An ecumenical chaplain is on call to offer support, counsel, or sacramental ministry. Your personal beliefs, culture and privacy will always be respected. The hospital chaplain or your own religious or spiritual leader can be contacted at any time through your ward staff. The Hospital Chapel, located between the Clinical Services Block and the Gardens Block, is open 24 hours for anyone to use.
Whānau / Family Room
The Whānau / Family Room is situated at the rear of the hospital, on Level 2, just past the Chapel. Please follow the signage from Level 1 to the Whānau/ Family Room. It is situated directly opposite the Orderlies Office.
Patient Meal Times
| Breakfast | 8:00 AM |
|---|---|
| Lunch | 12:00 - 12:30 PM |
| Dinner | 5:00 PM |
If you are on a special diet, for example vegetarian or gluten-free, ask your nurse about the food options available.
The hospital café and vending machines
The hospital cafe is located at the main entrance of the Timaru Hospital. It's open weekdays 7.30 am – 6.00 pm, weekends and public holidays 8.00 am – 4.00 pm. Vending machines are available in the hospital’s main entrance foyer. Drinks facilities are available in waiting areas throughout the hospital. If you are waiting for tests or a procedure, please check with a nurse before you eat or drink.
Mail/parcels/flowers
Inward mail is delivered twice daily on weekdays. For outward mail, stamped envelopes may be given to your nurse or placed in the post box outside the hospital’s main entrance. Flowers and parcels are delivered as they arrive.
Wifi
Free Wifi for patients and visitors is available. Look for "Hospital Free wifi" in your wifi settings.