Before you arrive
Plan your visit, find out about our different services and what you need to bring with you.
Are you coming to hospital for a clinic appointment, day procedure or an operation?
Do you have a loved one in hospital who you want to visit? Find out more so you can plan your visit.
You will recover faster if you are in the best possible health before your operation. To reduce any risks from the anaesthetic, and to make your operation safer you should:
Stop smoking
Do not smoke on your day of surgery. Smokers have a higher risk of breathing problems during and after anaesthetics. Give up smoking 6 weeks before your operation to help reduce this risk. Click here for information and support.
Talk to your doctor about nicotine replacements.
Lose weight
Weight loss and fitness will reduce many of the risks of having an anaesthetic. Discuss your weight loss needs with your doctor before starting a weight loss program.
See your family doctor
Please have a health check with your family doctor to get advice about the medicines you take.
Your doctor may send you to have more tests such as blood tests, ECG or Chest X-ray.
Please remember to bring the results of these tests with you on your day of surgery.
See your dentist
Please continue wearing any dentures on your day of surgery.
If you have any loose or broken teeth, please see your dentist before your surgery date.
Eating and Drinking
A nurse will call you between 2-6pm on the day before surgery to tell you when you should stop eating and drinking.
If you do not receive a phone call 1 business day before your surgery, please phone (02) 9382 7111 and ask for the After Hours Nurse Manager.
You must follow the hospital’s instructions for eating and drinking.
It is important to have an empty stomach to reduce the risk of vomiting whilst under anaesthetic.
For information on fasting, click here.
The day before surgery
A nurse will call you between 2-6pm on the day before surgery to tell you what time you need to come to the hospital.
If you do not receive a phone call 1 business day before your surgery, please phone (02) 9382 7111 and ask for the After Hours Nurse Manager.
It is very important that you follow the instructions given to you about when to take your usual medications.
When you arrive
After you have arrived at the ward you will speak to a clerical staff member to confirm your personal details. After that, a nurse will start peparing you for surgery.
You will be asked several times by the staff about what operation you are having and about your general health.
These questions are asked to make sure that your health background is known and that you understand the procedure you are having.
Private Health Insurance:
As an Australian with a Medicare Card, you can choose to come to hospital as a public or private patient.
If you choose to come in as private patient and do not have private health insurance, you will be required to cover the cost.
As a private patient:
• You may elect to be treated by a doctor of your choice
• You will have the private health insurance excess waived
• You may need pay for medical and hospital services, such as Surgeons or Anaesthetists
• If a single room is available, you will be given priority
By choosing to use your private health insurance, you are directly helping Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital to continue better serve the local community.
As a public patient:
• You must show your Medicare Card
• The hospital decides which doctor will treat you
• You do not pay for medical or hospital services
• You may need to pay to hire equipment
• You are treated by a doctor selected by the hospital
If you would like to speak about your options in Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital please contact our Patient Liaison Officer on 02 9382 7830 or email SESLHD-SYD-PatientLiaison@health.nsw.gov.au
Choose your language to read more about your choices when being admitted as a patient.
If you need to make a payment you can do so by one of the following methods:
Internet
Internet payment can only be made using Master Card and Visa. Internet payments do not attract a merchant fee. Click here (http://www.seslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/Invoice/) to make a payment.
Telephone
Telephone is quick and convenient way to pay your invoices. The District’s Credit Card Phone Payments Service is available by calling 1800 915 188
Monday-Friday 8am to 4.30pm.
MasterCard and Visa cards are accepted. Please note credit card payments do not attract a merchant fee.
In Person
Invoice payments may be made in person at our Cashier office ground level, Administration Building. Payments are accepted by cash, cheque, credit card, EFTPOS, American Express. Please note payments do not attract a merchant fee.
Make your cheque payable to South Eastern Sydney Local Health District and crossed “not negotiable”.
Mail the cheque and invoice stub to:
Billing Services Centre
Locked Bag No 2001
Randwick
NSW 2031
Contacting Us
If you have any questions about being a public or private patient or payments please contact our Patient Liaison Officer: 9382 7830
Mesothelioma Claim patients:
• please bring your ‘Letter of approval’ from the Dust Diseases Board.
If you are admitted as a result of a motor vehicle claim then please complete the ‘Notification of Accident Form’ form and bring it with you when you come to hospital.
http://internal.health.nsw.gov.au/finance/revenue/forms/MAA_Accident_Notification_Form.pdf
If you are visiting from overseas you will need to pay for services.
Your health care in your home country will not pay for the health care that you receive in Australia.
For each medical consultation you will be charged a fee.
If you need to stay in hospital for treatment you may have to pay for extra services that you need.
Examples:
• Surgery, including surgeons and anaesthetists
• Nursing
• Accommodation
• Equipment
• Medical tests
• Other hospital supports
When you come to hospital you will have to show:
• Passport and Visa to identify yourself
• Home address
• Email address.
The hospital will only provide medically necessary care, unless you are able to show one of the following:
• A valid credit card
• A bank cheque. The bank cheque must be for the amount of the estimated cost of your treatment
• A personal guarantee from an Australian Citizen who we can identify
• An authorised payment plan
If you require further help, please contact the Patient Liaison Officer on 02 9382 7830 or email SESLHD-SYD-PatientLiaison@health.nsw.gov.au
Public Liability or Compensation Claim patients:
- please bring the contact details of your Solicitor when you come to hospital
If you are admitted under workers compensation then your costs are covered by your insurer. Please bring your claim number and insurance details with you when you come to hospital.