Admission to hospital

If you are being admitted to hospital, please report to reception at the main hospital entrance. Please bring proof of residency, such as a birth certificate or passport with you when reporting for an appointment or surgery.

When you are admitted you will be asked to provide an emergency contact. Only this person can phone the ward for updates on your progress.

• Your letter from the hospital, health centre or doctor.
• All your medicines including natural or non-prescription medicines.
• Your glasses, hearing aid, mobility aids, blood sugar monitor (if used).

Leave your valuables at home.

• Toiletries including soap, shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrush.
• A set of comfortable clothes and shoes.
• Nightwear.
• Comforts such as iPod, book or favourite pillow.

• A support person to bring you changes of clothes.
• Someone to be your whānau or family representative so they can let other family and friends know how you are.
• Accommodation for your whānau or support people if needed.
• Someone to feed pets or carry out other household tasks while you are in hospital.

Read about pre-anaesthesia assessment and preparation, the surgery itself and postoperative care on the Healthpoint website.

All main meals and light refreshments are supplied to patients free of charge. Please inform the nursing staff if you have special dietary requirements.

In most areas breakfast is from 7am to 8.30am, lunch from 11.30am to 1pm and dinner from 4.30pm to 6pm. Tea, coffee and Milo are also brought around at morning and afternoon tea and suppertime.

Each day you are given a menu to choose from for the next day. A doctor or dietitian may also set a special diet as part of your treatment. Food is very important for your health and wellbeing, so if you have any questions please talk to your nurse or midwife, or ask to speak to a dietitian.

A trolley comes around the wards in the morning with snack foods, magazines and papers you can buy. Hospital volunteers also visit the wards. They run a library you can borrow books from and can help with small jobs such as reading to you or going to buy something you need.

Mobile phones are allowed in wards except the Intensive Care Unit and in some rooms in Ward 7 South - in these wards you should discuss using your cellphone with staff.

Other than this, the use of mobile phones is encouraged as an efficient way to keep in touch with your family and friends. Please be respectful of other patients by having your ringtone on a quiet setting.

Most patient bed spaces are provided with a television and a handset for radio. The radio is available free of charge but to use the TV you need to purchase a top up card from machines located in each ward.

Free WiFi is available for inpatients at Wellington Regional Hospital, Kenepuru Community Hospital and Kapiti Health Centre.

Find out more including instructions for how to connect here.

Where possible, you will be given 24 hours’ notice of your discharge time. Your nurse or doctor will let you know what follow-up you need.

• Your discharge information.
• Your follow up appointment (if you need one).
• Your medications and prescriptions for new medications.
• Information about your care once you get home.
• Referral to any community services you may need, such as the district nurses or meals on wheels.
• A number you can call us on if you have any questions or concerns.
• All your personal belongings.
• Transport to get home – and keys to get in.

Toilets for visitors are well sign-posted throughout the hospital. If you are unable to find one, please ask a staff member.