Located on level 3 of St Vincent’s Clinic, the Day Surgery Unit enables patients to access a range of technically advanced medical procedures that can be performed over a short period of time and do not require full hospitalisation.

Our primary objective during your stay is to ensure that you receive the highest professional service in a compassionate, friendly and caring environment. 

Specific information about your treatment will be provided by your doctor. We suggest that you ask your doctor to advise you on:

• the exact nature of your treatment,
• what you should expect during the recovery period and
• if any follow-up treatment will be required.

Our Patient Liaison Nurse will speak to you regarding your medications, talk with your surgeon and anaesthetist about your care, and telephone you the day after surgery to check on your progress. The Patient Liaison Nurse can be contacted directly by telephone on (02) 8382 6325.

PREPARING FOR DAY SURGERY

To give you the best possible care it is important we have information about you, your medical condition and your treatment. For example, you may be diabetic or have allergies to certain medications. This information should be provided on the forms given to you by your doctor.

YOUR ESCORT HOME
Please provide us with the details of the person who will be escorting you home. Failure to have a responsible adult to collect you and take you home will result in your procedure being postponed to a day when you are able to provide an escort. If you are travelling from outside of Sydney, we must know where you are going to stay while you are in Sydney, including telephone and fax numbers.

CONSENT FOR YOUR PROCEDURE
Before undergoing any treatment or procedure your doctor will explain what is involved, the risks, benefits and alternatives and ask you to give your consent for treatment by signing the consent form. If you have not signed your consent form before you come to hospital, you will be asked to do so by your doctor prior to any sedation or anaesthetic being administered.

PRE-ADMISSION HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE
It is extremely important that you complete the health questionnaire so that we are aware of any health issues you may have that might affect your treatment.

PRE-ADMISSION INFORMATION
This information is essential to assist us to plan your admission to the Day Surgery Unit. Please ensure you read and complete the sections on the front and back of the form.

GETTING THE INFORMATION TO US 
Please return the forms as soon as possible and ensure that the forms reach us at least three (3) working days before your admission.

If you mail us your forms, please remember to allow for delays if posting over the weekend and ensure that the forms reach us at least three working days before the date of your admission.

By hand:  Level 3, St Vincent’s Clinic
438 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst

By Mail: Day Surgery Unit
St Vincent’s Private Hospital
Locked Bag No 5,  Darlinghurst  NSW 2010

By fax: (02) 8382 7220.

YOUR SURGERY

There are a number of things you should know and understand about preparing for your surgery and post operative recovery. By following these simple guidelines you will help facilitate your treatment and recovery. Your surgery may be cancelled if you fail to comply with these safety requirements.

Telephone to Confirm

Telephone us on (02) 8382 6300 after 12 midday on the day before your operation.
At this time we will provide you with arrival and fasting times.

• If your operation is scheduled for a Monday, call us on Friday.
• If your operation is after a public holiday, call us on the last working day
  prior to the holiday.

Preparing for surgery

• Do not eat or drink anything (except a sip of water with medications) within six hours of the scheduled arrival time. Your arrival and fasting times will be given to you when you phone to confirm.
• A light meal is recommended the evening before surgery unless your doctor instructs otherwise. Do not consume any alcohol.
• If there is any change in your general condition such as a cold, fever, etc. please contact your doctor and the Day Surgery Unit.
• Do not smoke for at least 12 hours prior to surgery.
• Your anaesthetist will see you before your procedure. It is important that you discuss with the anaesthetist any specific medical conditions, drug sensitivities, past anaesthetic.
• Sign the consent form for your procedure - if you have not done this prior to your admission, please advise the nurse.

Arrive at the arranged time

You will be asked to arrive between 30 minutes and 2 hours before your operation, depending on your surgical needs. It is important to be punctual to avoid delays or any inconvenience. You may wait up to 90 minutes before your procedure is undertaken.

Medications

Please bring all your current medications in their labelled original bottles or packets (not dosette, Webster pack or loose).  Your general practitioner or regular pharmacist can usually provide you with a list of medications with the dose and time you take them.

What to bring

• All entitlement cards: Medicare, Pension, Safety Net, Veterans Affairs, private health insurance, Pharmaceutical Entitlement Number..
• Bring all recent x-rays, scans or films.
• Bring basic toiletries.
• Please wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing.
• Any receipts from any previous hospitalisation in the current year.

Do not bring

• Any valuables with you, as the Hospital cannot accept responsibility for these.
• Do not wear jewellery, make-up or nail polish.

After surgery

You will not be permitted to leave the hospital after surgery if your treatment involves a general anaesthetic or an assisted local anaesthetic, unless you are accompanied by a responsible person who can ensure your safety.

Our staff will help estimate your departure time and can notify a relative or friend when you will be ready to leave.

• If any medication is prescribed for you to take home it will be supplied to you prior to your discharge.
• We will provide light refreshments at your convenience.
• Staff will explain post-operative instructions before you leave the Day Surgery Unit. When you arrive home you should follow these instructions.

When you arrive home

• After surgery you should rest for at least 12-24 hours and arrange for someone to stay with you in case you need assistance.
• Do not drive a motor vehicle for 24 hours after surgery which has required general anaesthetic or sedation, as you will not be covered by insurance.
• It is in your best interest to not make important decisions, operate complex or dangerous equipment, or do anything which requires you to be alert and coordinated for 24 hours after general anaesthetic or sedation.
• Our Patient Liaison Nurse will contact you the day after surgery to check on your progress.
• If you become worried about anything you should contact your doctor or the Hospital.

SETTLING THE BILL

ESTIMATE OF COSTS IN ADVANCE 
Where time allows, prior to or on admission, the Hospital will provide an estimate of the gap (if any) between your health insurance cover and the Hospital costs. This will be an estimate ONLY. As the estimate is prepared using information supplied to us by your doctor, it is subject to change without notice.

Circumstances may also occur during your hospitalisation that will result in changes. We strongly recommend that you contact your health fund and check your status for any exclusions, excess or co-payments applicable to your specific level of cover. 

PRIVATE HEALTH FUND INSURANCE
If you have private health fund insurance we will prepare a hospital claim form and make the claim on your behalf. The rebate will vary with each fund, the level at which you contribute and the type of surgery being performed.

Following health fund payment of your claim, any amounts that cannot be claimed or are not paid by your insurer will be debited to your credit card, the details of wh ich we will ask you to provide on admission. You will be advised of any outstanding amount over $1000 prior to the debit being made.

METHOD OF PAYMENT
The Hospital accepts payment in cash, cheque, EFTPOS and most credit cards. We would appreciate that any balance not covered by your health fund is finalised on the day of discharge or on request.

UNINSURED PATIENTS OR UNCONFIRMED HEALTH FUND ELIGIBILITY
Patients who:

• cannot nominate an acceptable fund,
• are self-insured,
• whose health fund eligibility has not been confirmed, or
• whose treatment is not covered by their health fund

are required to pay an estimate of the total Hospital account prior to, or on admission, together with provision of guarantee payment authority to pay the balance on discharge or at a later date.

GENERAL INFORMATION

If you would like to speak to the Nurse Unit Manager before admission, please call (02) 8382 6300.

EMERGENCY CONTACT
If you have a need to contact your surgeon urgently, please telephone (02) 8382 7111 and the Assistant Director of Nursing can assist you.

CAR PARKING
All patients can obtain a voucher for discount parking in the St Vincent’s Clinic car park. Access is from Barcom Avenue. Parking is only for the use of a friend or relative who will be escorting you from the Hospital. Please remember, you are not allowed to drive after surgery. read more

ADMISSION TO HOSPITAL
In some circumstances patients may be required to stay overnight in the Hospital for additional treatment. This will be arranged as required. While every effort will be made to accommodate you in a single room, it will be subject to availability and the medical needs of other patients.

MOBILE PHONES
We request that mobile phones are turned off so that other patients who may be preparing for surgery are not disturbed. We can provide you with a portable phone if required.

PATIENT CONFIDENTIALITY 
St Vincent’s Private supports the principles and complies with all the regulations relating to patient confidentiality and the use of patient information. Download our Privacy Information brochure here.

LODGING A COMPLIMENT, SUGGESTION OR COMPLAINT
You are entitled to comment on or complain about the services you received in the Day Surgery Unit. If during your stay you or your family has any concerns, please direct them to the Nurse Unit Manager. The Hospital would also appreciate hearing from you if you have a suggestion for improvement or a compliment.

If you would like to make a statement or a complaint about the care you received, please use the feedback form available from the receptionist. A reply paid envelope is available should you wish to wait until you are at home.

Contacting St Vincent’s Private Day Surgery Unit

Level 3, St Vincent’s Clinic
438 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst
Telephone: (02) 8382 6300
Fax: (02) 8382 6330

PATIENT LIAISON NURSE
Telephone: (02) 8382 6325

EMERGENCY CONTACT
Telephone: (02) 8382 7111

POSTAL ADDRESS
Day Surgery Unit
St Vincent’s Private Hospital
Locked Bag No 5
Darlinghurst NSW 2010