Welcome To The Sunshine Coast Private Hospital

Your stay at The Sunshine Coast Private Hospital

We hope that your stay with us is as enjoyable as possible. At The Sunshine Coast Private Hospital you will find a variety of services aimed at making life a little easier for our patients and their visitors. Remember, if there is anything else you would like to know, or any way that we can help out, please ask any of our helpful staff or volunteers.

ATM – An automatic teller machine is located in the Reception area for your convenience

Bed Allocation - While the hospital has a range of private rooms, these are allocated on the basis of patient need. From time to time (and for a variety of reasons) it may be necessary to transfer you to another room. Where possible the hospital tries to meet patient requests for a single room.  Unfortunately this is not always possible as the allocation of single rooms is often based primarily on medical/care need.  Should bed shortages in certain areas occur before or during your stay, it may be necessary to transfer you to another area within your ward, or to a different ward within the hospital.

Café – The hospital has an onsite café where you can purchase delicious meals, snacks and beverages and enjoy them at the al fresco tables on the adjoining verandah area. It is open Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 8:30am and 3pm. A vending machine for drinks, snacks and coffee is available outside the café, and a snack machine is located in the Mental Health Unit and may be accessed for purchases outside Coffee Shop hours.

Chapel – A beautiful space of peace and serenity, The Sunshine Coast Private Hospital Chapel is on Level 3 and is available for your use at any time for prayer or quiet reflection. A Chapel Service is conducted each Wednesday at 10am. If you would like to attend please speak with one of the staff and they will arrange for you to be escorted to the service.

Chaplaincy Service - Our Chaplain visits the wards on a regular basis and can be contacted 24 hours a day by asking your nurse. The Chaplain will be happy to visit you, bring you Holy Communion, or discuss any matters of personal or family concern. The hospital has a Chapel on Level 3 for patients, visitors and staff. Ministers and official representatives from most religious denominations also attend the hospital on a regular basis. If you would like a particular ministry from your own church tradition, ask your nurse and she/he will contact that person. Your pastor, priest, etc is permitted by the hospital to visit you at any time.

Fall Prevention – All patients are assessed for their risk of falling while in hospital. If you feel light-headed or unsteady at any time, please ask for assistance. Please be aware medications and over-the-counter remedies can cause light-headedness. Don’t walk in socks or stockings, wear well-fitting slippers or footwear at all times, and ensure that your glasses are on to help with distance vision.

Hairdressing Service - A mobile hairdresser is available to visit you in your room. Please ask your ward clerk to make an appointment.

Infection Control - This hospital recognises the importance of monitoring hospital infection. To ensure that this is carried out in keeping with Queensland Health and Australian Council on Health Care Standards guidelines, all microbiology results are viewed by your nursing care team. If a patient has an infectious condition, nursing staff will take additional precautions (e.g. gowns and masks) and visitors may also be requested to comply with these precautions. Visitors are requested to refrain from sitting on beds. In the interests of patient well-being, persons suffering from infections are advised not to visit the hospital until free of the infection.

Justice Of The Peace - The services of a Justice of the Peace (JP) can be obtained by contacting your Clinical Nurse Manager. Nursing staff are not authorised to witness patient documents.

Laptop Computers - If you would like use a laptop computer, you must get permission from the Clinical Nurse Manager in your ward and an electrical check must be carried out by the hospital’s maintenance department. The hospital cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage of any property you choose to keep at your bedside.

Laundry - If you are unable to arrange for a relative or friend to do your laundry, let the nursing staff know and they will arrange to have this service provided. As the hospital does not have a laundry service on site there will be a charge for this service.

Mail - Personal mail is delivered to you in the ward. If you have any outgoing mail, staff will arrange for posting.

Meals - The Sunshine Coast Private Hospital offers a wide selection of meals and our catering department is able to prepare a full range of meals for special diets. We strive at all times to satisfy your needs. Should you have any special requirements, please tell a member of the nursing staff, who will contact the catering department.

Mobile Phones - The use of mobile phones inside the hospital building is discouraged due to interference with medical equipment, particularly in critical care areas.

Newspapers/Magazines - Newspapers and a selection of magazines are delivered to the Hospital every day. All wards are visited by volunteers between 8:45am and 10am. The correct money is appreciated as a limited amount of change is carried. The Coffee Shop also sells newspapers and magazines.

Nurse Call System - Each bed is equipped with a nurse call buzzer. Your nurse will explain how to use the buzzer on admission. You will also find a nurse call buzzer in your bathroom. This facility ensures that we are able to respond quickly to any difficulties or additional needs you may require.

Pharmacy – The hospital pharmacy is located on the Ground Level with a full range of pharmaceuticals and personal care items available for sale to both patients and visitors.

Smoking - As a health care facility we endorse a smoke free environment. Government legislation prohibits smoking within the hospital buildings and front entrance area.  Cigarettes are the greatest single cause of hospital fires and because of the incapacitated state of many patients, careless actions and disregard of smoking rules can have serious consequences. Patients wishing to smoke are to use the specified smoking areas outside the hospital building. Visitors are asked NOT to smoke whilst visiting patients in the hospital.

Telephones - If you would like to make an outside call, dial “0” before dialing the number you wish to call. To contact the switchboard, dial “3303”. Some charges may apply for external calls, dependent on your health fund cover. Public telephones with STD facilities are located in the reception area and in the Mental Health Unit. The use of mobile phones inside the hospital building is discouraged due to interference with medical equipment, particularly in critical care areas.

Valuables - Please do not bring valuables or money with you (other than a small amount for newspapers, magazines, etc). If you must bring valuables, ask the nurse to arrange for their safekeeping and a receipt will be given to you. Because of limited space, only rings, jewellery, wallets/purses (with money and contents) and watches are classified as “valuables for safekeeping”. These items can be returned to you during office hours. The hospital cannot accept responsibility for the loss of, or damage to, any property you choose to keep at your bedside. Do not forget to collect your belongings and valuables before you leave.

Visiting Hours - At The Sunshine Coast Private Hospital we encourage a balance between visitors and rest for your recuperation. Therefore visiting times are as follows:

All areas: 10.30am – 12 noon and 3pm – 8pm

The Maternity Unit and Critical Care Areas are closed between midday and 3pm for patients’ rest, so please advise visitors to avoid calling during this time if possible. No phone calls will be put through during this time.   

Parents of children may visit at any time. Visiting may sometimes be restricted on Doctor’s request, or at the discretion of the Clinical Nurse Manager. Patients may also ask that visitors be restricted. All visitors should check at the Nurses’ Station on arrival.

Hospital Volunteers – The Sunshine Coast Private Hospital appreciates the important contribution made by our volunteers. You will see them helping out around our facility – they do not wear uniforms but can be identified by their badge. All hospital volunteers undertake training and instruction to ensure that they maintain our high standards of service.