Bondi Junction Private Hospital

Level 1, 21 Spring Street, Bondi Junction, NSW 2022

Preparing for your hospital visit

  • Before Surgery
    • Please complete your pre-admission forms at least 5 days before surgery
    • You should take the time to contact your private health fund to check your level of cover
    • Please make a note of your admission time and fasting instructions – we will provide you with these during your pre-admission phone call one working day before surgery
    • Don’t forget to advise us of any special dietary needs
    • If you are having day surgery, you will need to arrange for a responsible adult to accompany you home and stay with you for 24 hours. We cannot discharge you following an anaesthetic unless you have a designated carer, so please let us know as soon as possible if you have any difficulty finding someone.
    • Please contact your doctor prior to surgery if your health has deteriorated, as we may need to postpone the procedure until you’re feeling better

    For 24 hours after an anaesthetic, you will not be able to:

    • Drive a vehicle
    • Drink alcohol
    • Operate machinery
    • Make important decisions
    • Sign legal documents
  • What to bring
    • Your Medicare card, and where relevant your Health Insurance membership card, Veterans’ Affairs card and/or Pensioner Concession card
    • All medications you are currently taking including supplements, in their original packaging
    • Any recent and relevant X-rays, scans, test results and medical paperwork (such as forms and doctor admission letter)
    • Any personal aids you need (glasses, walking aids)
    • Any Advanced care plan and/or treatment-limiting orders
    • If you are staying overnight, please bring night attire, toiletries and slippers
    • Your credit card (Amex, Visa & Mastercard), debit card or bank cheque to settle your account. Please note we do not accept personal cheques or cash.
    • Power of Attorney, Enduring Guardianship and Advanced Care Directive documentation (if applicable)

    You will also need to wear loose comfortable clothing

  • What not to bring
    • Please leave all valuables at home (including jewellery and large sums of cash)
    • Do not wear make-up, nail polish, high heels or jewellery and please remove all facial and mouth piercings
  • Childrens surgery

    It’s natural to feel anxious if your child is undergoing surgery, and we will do everything we can to make your family comfortable and relaxed. It’s a good idea to bring:

    • Their pyjamas
    • A favourite toy, story book or activity
    • A change of clothes and underwear

    We will invite one parent or carer into the recovery room to be with your child after surgery. Only you know who the right person is, so please consider this carefully.

  • Fasting

    Before you undergo an anaesthetic, you will need to avoid eating or drinking anything for a specific period of time beforehand as this will protect your airway and lungs while you are asleep. During your pre-admission phone call, we will let you know when this fasting period should begin. For your own safety, you must strictly follow the fasting instructions.

    You can have a very small amount of water in the morning with medication, but do not chew gum, eat lollies or have any milk-based drinks.

    We will give you a snack and fluids when you are in the recovery room after your surgery.

  • Medications

    Please check with your doctor, anaesthetist or GP whether you should take your prescribed medications on the morning of your procedure. You can take them with a sip of water if fasting. If you take medication for diabetes or anticoagulant therapy, your anaesthetist will contact you prior to your procedure to discuss your medication management.

  • Smoking

    Please be advised that Bondi Junction Private Hospital is a smoke free environment. We recommend that you do not smoke on the day of your procedure.

  • Getting here and parking

    There is time-limited paid parking available on the street. All day parking is available at the Waverly Library Car Park.

  • Admission

    When you arrive, please report to the reception desk where our staff will guide you through the admission process. We will confirm your name, date of birth, admitting details and doctor. These standard identification procedures will be repeated throughout the day to ensure your safety.

    As a specialist boutique hospital, we make every effort to ensure you will not be kept waiting before your procedure, but there are times when other patients require longer periods in theatre than we anticipate.

    We’ll let you and your carer know if there are any delays and how your expected discharge time might be affected. It’s a good idea to bring a book or something to keep you occupied just in case.

  • Billing & health insurance

    Bondi Junction Private Hospital has contracts with most health funds. If you have private health insurance, we will check your level of cover and email you an estimate of additional expenses you will need to pay.

    Once you have booked your procedure you will be provided with an informed financial consent form. This document is provided to you as an estimation of fees according to your hospital booking including any ‘out of pocket’ charges and your health fund excess.

    If you are having elective cosmetic surgery, your surgeon will advise you on all fees.

    It’s a good idea to contact your private health fund to check any exclusions or restrictions on specific treatments. They can answer any questions, and may be able to upgrade your policy if needed.

    Before you are admitted, any outstanding amount not covered by your health fund (co-payment or excess) will need to be paid. We can take pre-payment by credit card over the phone during your pre-operative call if you prefer. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, EFTPOS, and bank cheques. Please note we do not accept cash.

    If you do not have private health insurance, you will be required to pay the full amount for your day surgery admission.

    Please note you will also receive a separate account from the surgeon and anaesthetist involved in your treatment which covers the cost of their services.

    Third party claims

    If you are a Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) patient, we will lodge a claim with the DVA for you. If your surgery is part of a WorkCover or Third Party (TAC) claim, you will need to make the full payment (apart from ancillary charges) on admission – unless we have received written approval for admission from WorkCover or TAC.

    Questions to ask your private health insurer

    Before you have surgery, we recommend you contact your private health insurer and check whether you are covered for surgery. We have provided a guide to the questions you should ask.

  • After your surgery

    Following your procedure, you will be brought into the recovery unit where we will give you some fluids and a light snack.

    Day surgery

    If you are discharged on the same day as your surgery, you must have a responsible adult to collect you from Bondi Junction Private Hospital, and stay with you for 24 hours. We will let your carer know your approximate discharge time when you are admitted, and then call them 30 minutes before you are ready to be picked up.

    We will also give them your post-operative care instructions. It is important you follow these to ensure the best outcome from your procedure. Your anaesthetist will give you a prescription for any pain relief and/or antibiotics required after surgery. These may be required soon after being discharged, so it’s a good idea to pick up this medication from a nearby pharmacy on the way home.

    One of our nurses will call you a few days after your surgery to check how you are recovering. You will also have a post-operative appointment with your surgeon.

    Short-stay surgery

    If you are staying with us overnight, we will make you comfortable in one of our private patient rooms once you have recovered from the anaesthetic.

    You can have visitors between 8am and 8pm, but we do suggest you keep visits to a minimum so you can rest. If you have special needs and require a carer to stay with you, or would like your infant to stay with you, please discuss this with us before admission.

    Discharge time is 9am. You are welcome to wait in our patient lounge after this time if you are waiting to be picked up.

    Preventing falls

    After your procedure and anaesthetic you may be at risk of falling or tripping. Take care when moving around and we encourage you to rest and let your carer assist you for the remainder of the day.

    Nausea

    This is less common with modern anaesthetics. If it does occur, it should only be temporary. If nausea persists, avoid food but maintain fluids. If it does not resolve within 24 hours, it is important that you contact your doctor.

    Sore throat

    This may occur due to your anaesthetist assisting with your breathing. It usually disappears within 24 hours. Simple pain relief may help relieve this.

    Tender arm or hand at injection site

    This may occur due to irritation of the vein or slight bruising from the needle or the drugs injected, and can persist for several days. If your arm or hand look red or inflamed consult your doctor and notify Bondi Junction Private Hospital.

    Infection

    Please notify the Director of Nursing at Bondi Junction Private Hospital should any redness, swelling, pain or discharge be noticed from your wound – or if you visit a doctor and are prescribed antibiotics for an associated infection within 30 days of your procedure.

    Hand hygiene

    We advise patients and carers to wash hands prior to attending wound care or administering eye drops (as per doctor’s instructions).

  • Privacy

    As a patient of Bondi Junction Private Hospital your privacy and dignity will be maintained at all times. We hold medical records relating to your treatment, and the content of these records will only be divulged with your consent or where permitted or authorised by law.

    We will handle your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (including the Australian Privacy Principles under that Act) and other applicable laws. For more information, read our Patient Information & Pre-Admission Booklet, and download tthe Australian Privacy Principles fact sheet.

  • Quality & Safety

    Bondi Junction Private Hospital adheres to all statutory and relevant body guidelines and Australian Standards. Our management systems aim to provide the highest level of care to our patients in a safe and supportive environment.

    We work as a team under the management of the Board of Directors, Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) and Director of Nursing, with the following programs in place:

    Quality management – We continually monitor, assess and improve the quality of patient care. The MAC conducts peer-reviewed activities and we publish information about clinical performance, health outcomes and patient satisfaction.

    Risk management – We proactively work to mitigate risks to provide the safest possible environment for patients, visitors and staff.

    Workforce checks – Our dedicated specialist clinical staff have their credentials checked annually, and are assessed to ensure they can perform their roles so that you receive the highest standard of care and comfort.

    Clinical handover – If your care is transferred from one person to another, our systems ensure there is effective continuity. This includes your involvement in your discharge instructions as a patient or carer.

    Hand Hygiene – Bondi Junction Private Hospital is committed to the Hand Hygiene Australia program and conducts regular audits to ensure compliance. You can find more information on this program here.

    Infection control – We aim to prevent and limit the spread of infection through evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.

    Consumer involvement – Patients are at the centre of our care model, and we welcome your participation in reviewing our Quality & Safety reports, and feedback on how we can continue to improve.

    Open Disclosure – The Bondi Junction Private Hospital Governing Body (Board of Directors), Staff and Accredited Medical Practitioners (AMPs) support the practice and principles of Open Disclosure.

    Bondi Junction Private Hospital has a clear and consistent approach to open communication and disclosure with consumers and their carers,  with a view to fairness, transparency and  accountability.

    Please click on the button below for more information on Open Disclosure.

     

  • Complaints, concerns and feedback

    Please complete the Patient Satisfaction Survey, which your nurse will give you after your procedure. We appreciate your honest feedback, as we are always looking for ways to improve our patients’ experience.

    If there is any aspect of your care that you are not happy with, please contact the Director of Nursing (Complaints Officer) at don@bjph.com.au. We will promptly acknowledge and investigate any complaint, and communicate the outcome and any recommendations with you.

    If your complaint is unresolved, you can contact:

    Health Care Complaints Commission

    Locked Mail Bag 18,
    Strawberry Hills,
    NSW 2012

    Phone: 02 9219 7444

Frequently asked questions

We will answer any specific questions you have during your pre-operative call the day before your procedure. Here are some answers to common queries.

  • Do I need to arrive before my admission time to complete any paperwork?

    No – we allow for this when we calculate the time you need to arrive. If your admission time is 9am, please arrive at 9am.

  • How long will I be in hospital for?

    This depends on your procedure, and for day surgery is generally 2 to 3 hours from the time of your admission. We will let you know what to expect the day before your procedure.

  • Is there parking at Bondi Junction Private Hospital?

    Paid and timed parking is available on the street, or at the Waverley Library Car Park located one block away on Ebley Street. Parking at Waverley Library is free for the first 1.5 hours, and all day paid parking is available.

  • Why do I have to fast?

    It’s important not to eat or drink anything for a specified period of time before an anaesthetic for safety reasons, as this will protect your airway and lungs while you are asleep.

  • Why do I need a responsible adult to collect me?

    Because you are having an anaesthetic for your procedure, you need someone with you after you are discharged to make sure there are no unexpected complications from your procedure or anaesthetic. You are also not legally allowed to drive for 24 hours following an anaesthetic.

    Our nursing staff will meet with your designated carer before we send you home, and go through written instructions for your wellbeing when you go home. This includes advice about eating and drinking, pain relief, and when you can resume normal activities.

    If you do not have a designated carer to collect you, we may have to cancel your surgery. Please let us know if you have any concerns about this policy, and contact the hospital as soon as possible if you are having any difficulty finding a carer.

  • Why do I have to remove my jewellery and nail polish before surgery?

    This is for your own safety. There is a risk of surgical burns with metal jewellery, including piercings. If you wish to leave your wedding ring on, we will tape it.

    During surgery, your oxygen levels will be monitored with a probe placed on your finger and nail polish and acrylic nails can interfere with this.

  • Why do I have to pay an excess, I have already paid the account to the doctor?

    The account you paid to your doctor was for their services only, and is separate to your hospital fees. The excess you are required to pay to the hospital is the amount you elected to pay to reduce your Health Insurance premium costs. We’ve checked this with your health fund.

  • Will I have something to eat after my procedure, as I had to fast before it?

    Yes, the nurses will provide you with a light snack and a cup of tea, coffee or juice while you are in second stage recovery. Please let us know about any food allergies or intolerances during your admission process.

  • Will you call my relative or carer to collect me after my procedure?

    Of course. The nurses will call your carer 30 mins before your discharge.

  • I am coming back in a month for another procedure. Do I have to fill out another Admission Form?

    If your next procedure is within three months of this one, we can re-use your existing admissions form. However, we will ask you to double-check that the information provided is still current.

Level 1, 21 Spring Street, Bondi Junction, NSW 2022

02 9387 6622

admin@bjph.com.au

Visiting 9am – 8pm

Paid and timed parking available

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