What to bring to hospital
Preparing for your hospital stay
At Western Health we’re committed to making your stay with us as comfortable as possible.
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Before you arrive
When coming to hospital it’s important to bring the right items to help make your stay more comfortable and ensure your care team has the information they need.
For occupational health and safety reasons we ask that you only bring essential items into hospital with you. Please limit your items to a small bag about the size of an airline carry-on suitcase or to a maximum of 10kg.
Please do not bring valuables or large amounts of money to the hospital. The hospital cannot take responsibility for personal belongings and valuables.
When you arrive, you’ll need to check in so we can confirm your personal details are correct.
If you are wanting to deliver food or belongings to patients at Western Health, please refer to our guidelines.
See below for what items you’ll need to bring with you depending on the treatment and services you receive at Western Health.
What to bring to hospital
Adult day surgery
- Medicare card
- Private health insurance details
- DVA card
- Pension/concession card
- Safety Net Card or Seniors Health Card
- TAC claim details
- WorkCover claim details
- Your GP’s details
- Cardio Card
Please note: If you are staying for the day only you should wear clothes that are easy to take off and put back on after your treatment.
Adult inpatient/overnight stay
- Medicare card
- Private health insurance details
- DVA card
- Pension/concession card
- Safety Net Card or Seniors Health Card
- TAC claim details
- WorkCover claim details
- Your GP’s details
- Cardio Card
- All current medications including prescriptions and herbal medicines
- Essential medical equipment e.g. a CPAP machine
- All relevant x-rays and scans
- Loose comfortable clothing to wear during the day and sleepwear for hospital
- Toiletries including toothpaste, soap, deodorant, etc.
- Non-slip footwear
- Health aids (i.e. walking frame, hearing aid, etc).
Please use the following checklist to help plan your stay:
- I have organised someone to take me to hospital.
- I have organised for someone to pick me up when I am ready to go home.
- I have arranged for someone to stay with me after I go home.
- I have organised a neighbour/next of kin/friend to look after my home and collect my mail.
- I have packed all current medications.
- I have medically prepared for my surgery as advised by the pre-admission staff.
- I have left all valuables safely with family/friends or at home rather than bring them into hospital.
- I have packed loose comfortable day clothing and sleepwear and non-slip footwear for hospital (maximum 10kg luggage).
- I have packed adequate toiletries for my stay in hospital, for example:
- soap
- deodorant
- toothpaste
- toothbrush
- shampoo
- hairbrush or comb.
Child inpatient/overnight stay
Babies
- Nappies
- Clothes
- Bottles and formula
Children
- Pyjamas
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Shampoo
- Hairbrush or comb
- Favourite toy, books, colouring books and pencils
- Radios or handheld computer game should be clearly labelled with your child's name. It is your responsibility to look after these items.
Maternity
For mothers
- Your VMR (Victorian Maternity Record)/Pregnancy Care Book – important to ensure your pregnancy information is available for those caring for you.
- Mothers Milk Booklet (given at first visit)
- Medicare card
- Pension card
- Health insurance details
- Packets of maternity sanitary pads
- Nursing bras
- 1 packet of breast pads (not plastic-lined)
- 1 box of tissues
- Cotton underwear
- Nightie
- Comfortable daywear
- Some coins for small items (e.g. newspaper)
- Camera and charger
- Mobile phone and charger
For babies
- 4 singlets
- 4 grow suits
- 2 pair of mittens
- 1 hat
- 4 bunny rugs or blankets
- Nappy wipes
- Disposable nappies
Specialist outpatient clinic appointments
Adult clinics
- Medicare card
- Pension/concession care
- Healthcare card
- DVA card
- TAC claim number
- WorkCover claim number
- Blood test results
- List of medicines that you take including prescriptions, medicines bought at a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop and herbal medicines
- X-ray or scan results
Women's clinics
- Medicare card
- Pension card
- Concession card
- Blood test results
- Victorian Maternity Record (orange book) to every appointment and visit for your pregnancy. Ensure you always take it home with you. It is your pregnancy record to keep after the birth of your baby.
Paediatrics (children)
- Medicare Card
- X Ray or scan results
- Any letters from your doctor
Specialised Rehabilitation Program
On your first appointment (team assessment):
- Medicare card
- Pension card
- Healthcare card
- Veteran Affairs card
- Your GP's contact details
- List of medicines that you take, including prescriptions, medicines bought at the supermarket, chemist or health food shop and herbal medicines.
On every visit:
- wear clothes that are easy to take off and put back on after your appointment.
- wear suitable shoes (closed in toes).
- any relevant scans/x-rays/reports from doctors
- walking frame, if needed
- hearing aids and glasses, if needed.
Radiology/medical imaging
- Any prior radiology imaging that is relevant to the examination
- Medicare card/DVA card, if eligible
- The request form for the examination if it was booked over the phone
- Your claim number If examination is relevant to a TAC (motor vehicle accident) or WCA (WorkCover) incident
Cancer treatment
Pre-chemotherapy planning appointment:
- Medicines that you take including prescriptions, medicines bought at the pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop or a current list of medicines
- Recent test results you have been provided
- Any questions that you have. It is a good idea to write these down before coming to your appointment.
Drug health services
- Medicare card
- Pension or health care card (if applicable)
- GP’s contact details
- List of current medicines including prescriptions, medicines bought at the pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop
On this page
Related pages
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Patients and visitors
- Accessing your medical records
- Call for HELP
- Family violence support
- Information for Medicare-ineligible patients
- Interpreter services
- Making a public interest disclosure
- Mobility and homecare equipment
- Pathology billing information
- Patient fees and billing
- Patient transport services
- Respecting our staff
- Rights and responsibilities
- Security at Western Health
- Social media terms of use
- What to bring to hospital
- Share your feedback
- Your referral