Preparing for your procedure

What to bring to hospital

Important documents

  • Any letters or documents from your doctor
  • All relevant scans and x-rays
  • A current list of your medications (from your doctor or pharmacist)
  • Your medications in original packaging (including inhalers, patches, and supplements)
  • Pacemaker card (if you have one)
  • Advanced Care Plan or Enduring Power of Attorney (if you have one)
  • Anaphylaxis action plan and EpiPen (if needed)
  • Spinal cord stimulator remote (if applicable)
  • CPAP machine (if you use one)
  • Wheelchair, walking stick or frame, if you have one

Insurance and payment information

  • Medicare card
  • Private health fund card
  • Pharmaceutical Safety Net card (if you have one)
  • WorkCover or TAC approval documentation (if applicable)
  • DVA card or Pensioner Concession card
  • Payment method (note: all credit cards incur a 1% fee; AMEX and Diners not accepted)

Personal items

  • Comfortable clothing and flat, non-slip shoes
  • Sleepwear, robe, and slippers (if staying overnight)
  • Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)
  • Compression stockings (if you have them)
  • Glasses, hearing aids, or contact lenses
  • A book or something to read
  • Phone charger (free WiFi is available)
  • For children: a favourite toy or book

What not to bring

Please leave these at home:

  • cash
  • jewellery or valuables
  • oil burners, incense, or candles

The Bays cannot take responsibility for any lost personal items.

Smoke-free policy

The Bays is a smoke-free environment. That means no smoking anywhere on our property – indoors, outdoors, entrances, car parks, or in vehicles. If you smoke and have concerns about managing this during your stay, please call our pre-admission nurse for support. Learn more about our smoke-free policy.

Admission process on-the-day

  • Check-in location: Hospital reception at the Vale Street entrance.
  • Initial steps: Paperwork, signing health fund claim forms (for insured patients), providing informed financial consent, payment of any applicable out-of-pocket expenses.
  • Support person policy: One support person prior to entering theatre.
  • Paediatric admissions: Legal guardian must sign consent form, one parent can stay with child before surgery and during recovery. Siblings should be cared for elsewhere. If staying overnight, one parent can sleep on a recliner/bed in the same room.

Operating theatre journey

  • Nurse interview: You’ll discuss your basic health and change into theatre attire.
  • Holding bay: A nurse will confirm your details and run through a health checklist.
  • Anaesthesia: Anaesthetic nurse and anaesthetist will meet you to discuss your health and procedure. Epidurals may be administered in the anaesthesia bay before entering the operating theatre.
  • Theatre entry: A theatre technician will escort you into the operating room and help transfer you to the operating table.

Waiting times

  • Factors influencing wait: Diabetes, age, medical conditions, and type of operation.
  • Waiting area: A TV is available in the waiting area but not the holding bay so bring a book or electronic device.

After your operation

  • Day surgery patients: Staff will inform you when you can go home and will contact your designated person 30 minutes prior to discharge. You’ll receive post-operative care information before you leave. Someone must accompany you home and stay with you overnight; driving or using public transport within 24 hours post-procedure is not permitted.
  • Overnight patients: Post-procedure, you’ll be taken to a recovery area, then to a private room with an ensuite. Your length of stay will depend on the type of procedure you’ve had.

Services for patients

We offer a number of services to help make your patient experience as comfortable as possible.

  • Patient rooms: Private rooms with ensuite bathrooms, remote-control TV, radio, telephone, and in-house video channel.
  • WiFi: Free for all patients and visitors.
  • Dining: Fresh meals tailored to individual dietary needs.
  • Café: Ground floor, behind hospital reception. Open Monday to Friday, 7.30am-2pm.
  • Courtyard: Outdoor seating with a water feature.

Allied health professionals

  • Services: Physiotherapy, social work, dietetics, and diabetes support.

Volunteer services

  • Assistance: Escorting patients, helping visitors navigate the hospital, and providing company to patients.

Patient transport service

  • Availability: Free service for patients without transport to and from the hospital.
  • Booking: Call 03 5970 5329 or email membership@thebays.com.au.