Inpatient Admissions
As an inpatient, it is important that you are familiar with our processes and information provided. There are specific tasks you need to attend to so that your mental health stay runs smoothly.
How do I get admitted?
A referral is required from your GP or treating doctor, to a psychiatrist with admitting rights to our hospital. A member of our admissions and assessment team will conduct an over-the-phone assessment and require your health fund details. Following assessment and health fund check, we will discuss your case with one of our treating private psychiatrists, who consult to our hospital under their own independent business. On acceptance of the referral, we will contact you to arrange admission and transfer of your care and management to the approving psychiatrist.
WorkCover and TAC cases will only be accepted after consultation with the Mental Health Program Manager.
Referral must be to a Psychiatrist with admission rights to the hospital.
Our team of health professionals specialise in assessing and treating mental health disorders and the exacerbation of pre-existing disorders.
For assistance with inpatient admissions, call Admissions:
- 03 9271 9888 during business hours
- 03 9549 6555 after hours
Our Admissions team will discuss your suitability and eligibility for admission. We will confirm your admission date and allocate a Psychiatrist if you don’t already have a treating Psychiatrist at South Eastern Private Hospital. This Psychiatrist will be responsible for overseeing your treatment.
For all outpatient queries, please call 03 9271 9700 or email [email protected].
Costs and insurance cover
Our Admissions team will contact your insurer (health fund, WorkCover, TAC or other) to confirm exactly what costs will be covered, and what out-of-pocket expenses are to be paid.
If you have an excess or co-payment with your health insurance, you will be required to pay this at the time of admission.
Self-funded patients will be required to pay at the time of admission. Generally we ask for 10 days up front plus Doctor fees.
Please contact our Admissions team on 03 9271 9888
who will arrange for an estimate of expenses to be provided.
For further information, please refer to:
What do I bring to hospital?
Please bring the following items with you to hospital:
- Letter of referral from your treating Doctor or Specialist, unless this has already been sent to the hospital
- Medicare card
- Private health insurance card
- Pensioner card
- Veterans' Affairs entitlement card
- Drivers licence or accepted identification
- Workers Compensation or Transport Accident Commission insurance details
- Health care cards and pharmacy safety net details
- All medications you are currently taking (in original packaging) and any repeat prescriptions
- Blood group card (if available)
- Sleepwear, dressing gown and slippers (for inpatients)
- Comfortable footwear
- Personal toiletries
- Glasses and physical aids (e.g. walking stick, hearing aid)
- Sufficient cash for incidental expenses (no more than $50)
Do not bring the following items with you:
- Talcum powder
- Jewellery
- Large sums of money
- Other valuables
For all electrical appliances (if essential), please advise hospital staff on arrival as they must be tested by the hospital Maintenance Department for safety reasons.
Our Admissions team will advise you of any other requirements, prior to admission.
On arrival
On the day of your admission, ensure you arrive at the hospital at the time designated by the Admissions Officer or your Doctor. On arrival, please register at reception so our administration staff can confirm your personal details, sign the hospital paperwork and admission forms.
Our Nursing staff will then show you to your room, and an orientation of the hospital will be provided.
You will be provided a security locker for medication and personal items. The hospital does not accept responsibility for security of your possessions, including jewellery, watches and money. Any valuables brought into hospital can be signed into the hospital's security safe for the duration of your stay.
Note that mobile phones should not be used in the wards as they can interfere with electronic medical equipment. Landline phones are available.
As an inpatient, you are not permitted to operate a motor vehicle while undergoing treatment. You should arrange for someone to drive you to hospital. If you drive your own car, please arrange for the vehicle to be removed when you have been admitted. Long term parking is not available.
When admitted, you will be under the care of a treating Psychiatrist who will see you throughout your admission. An experienced team of Nursing and Allied Health professionals will also support you.
All patients have a comprehensive psychiatric, medical and nursing assessment. Assessments assist us to formulate diagnostic and treatment plans to get the best individual patient outcome.
After an assessment, you will join one or more of our inpatient therapy programs.
Your room and meals
Please refer to the Your Stay section for more information about our private rooms onsite meal service.
Patient feedback
We value your feedback at South Eastern Private Hospital. Whether you want to pass on a compliment or provide feedback to help improve our service, we encourage you to:
- Speak with your Nurse
- Ask to speak with the Unit Manager
- Complete our in-hospital feedback survey
- Complete our post-discharge Patient Experience Survey (this will be emailed to you)
For more information, refer to Your Rights.
Discharge
Our discharge planning starts when you arrive at hospital. This helps to discuss and plan for your needs, after your hospital stay.
We ask that you vacate your room by 9:30am, so that we can prepare for our next patient. You may stay and complete the inpatient group therapy programs before going home.
Please check with your Nurse before leaving to collect your medications and prescriptions, and to confirm any follow up appointments you may have. Upon discharge, you will have the option of continued care with the same Psychiatrist. For more information, refer to Discharge.
Getting Home
If you are admitted to hospital, you are not permitted to operate a motor vehicle or leave your vehicle onsite. Please make arrangements with a family member or your carer, and discuss this with hospital staff prior to discharge.
Special arrangements can be made for DVA patients to get you home safely after your hospital stay.