Your stay

Coming into hospital can be an unsettling experience. Leaving the familiarity of the home environment, friends and family, can leave you feeling somewhat vulnerable. The first days of your admission are usually associated with getting familiar with your new surroundings and building a therapeutic rapport with your treating team and Unit staff.

During your stay, we would like to provide you with not only the best clinical care and treatment, but a complete and positive experience in every possible way.

Your psychiatrist will discuss and direct your psychiatric, medical and allied health treatment whilst you are staying a Ramsay Mental Health clinic. If you have any concerns about your progress or management please discuss these with your doctor, or the nurse in charge of your unit. There is an expectation that you will attend recommended in-patient programs throughout your stay.

Alcohol, Drugs & Prescribed Medication
Alcohol or non-prescribed drugs should not be brought into a Ramsay Mental Health clinic by patients or visitors. Consumption of alcohol or drugs in the hospital, or leaving the hospital to consume alcohol or drugs, may result in cessation of treatment and discharge from the Ramsay Mental Health clinic.

All medication that you bring to the Ramsay Mental Health clinic must be given to the nursing staff on arrival. Please advise staff of any allergies or adverse reactions you may have to medication.

Driving/Parking
In-patients of the Ramsay Mental Health clinic are not permitted to drive whilst receiving in-patient psychiatric treatment.

Visitors are able to park in the visitor car parks located at all Ramsay Mental Health clinics. Some parking fees may apply – refer to the notice board upon entry to car park at each clinic.

Identification
Regulations require a positive identification system for medication administration. A photo will be taken on admission as a means of staff being able to identify each patient. One photo will be kept on your medical file and another will be affixed to your medication sheet.

Mobile Phones
When you are admitted please ask our staff if mobiles can be used in your room. Mobiles may be used in all public areas including the coffee shop. Ramsay Mental Health clinic does not accept any responsibility for loss or damage to your mobile phone.

Patient Rights & Responsibilities
An information sheet outlining "Your Rights and Responsibilities” is available in your welcome pack on admission.

Smoking
Ramsay Mental Health clinics and hospital grounds are a smoke free environment.

Suitable Dress
All patients are required to be appropriately dressed during their stay at Ramsay Mental Health clinics. Night attire is not deemed suitable for wearing whilst in public areas, including the dining room and group rooms. Offensive slogans on t-shirts are also discouraged.

Valuables
It is advised that you do not bring large amounts of money and other valuables to Ramsay Mental Health clinic. Ramasy Mental Health does not accept liability for loss or damage to personal items. This includes clothing, jewellery, money and electrical appliances.

Visiting Hours
We recognise the importance of maintaining contact with your family and friends. Unless otherwise determined by your doctor, you are free to receive visitors, but you are reminded that your treatment program is very important and you are requested to ensure that visitors do not interrupt attendance at program sessions.

Please check with your relevant unit regarding suitable visiting hours.

Your feedback
As part of our ongoing quality improvement programs we welcome your feedback and any suggestions on how we can improve our services. You may also be asked to participate in some of our quality improvement initiatives such as focus groups and patient satisfaction surveys. Ongoing improvements to our services and facilities are made from the feedback you give us. 

Your privacy
All facilities owned by Ramsay Health Care comply with the Commonwealth Privacy Act and all other State Legislative requirements in relation to the management of personal information. You may feel safe in the knowledge that we safeguard your personal health information ensuring that confidentiality is respected and information is stored securely. Our Privacy Policy and Consent Form relating to collection and use of health information by the Northside Group will be provided on admission.

We thank you for taking the time to read this information and we appreciate the opportunity to be of assistance to you during your stay.