Our team includes:

• Medical Director and Registrar (Doctor in training): The Doctor will monitor your health and treatment plan until you are better or referred to another service.
• Registered Nurses: Our nurses will visit you regularly to give you your medicine and other treatments. 
• Physiotherapists: The physiotherapists will explain what exercises you need to do after you have had surgery.
• Occupational Therapists:  The Occupational Therapist will provide equipment and advice on how to stay safe at home after you have had surgery.
• Administrative staff: Our administration staff answer the phone and can help with any questions you may have.

We work closely with your local general practitioner (GP) the staff at Prince of Wales Hospital and other doctors who may refer you to our service.

Our nurses will visit every day depending on your treatment plan. They will also visit you on weekends and public holidays. The nurses will provide all the medical equipment that is needed. They will talk to your GP and our doctor about your progress and discuss with them any concerns they may have. Our doctor will visit to check your progress and will decide when you no longer need to use our services.

Who is eligible to use our services?

• People over the age of 16 years who have an infection and need antibiotics to be directly injected into a vein. 
• People over the age of 60 years who need rehabilitation support after surgery.
• You must live in the suburbs that are covered by our service. To find out if you are eligible please contact our office.

How to make an appointment for a visit

If you have an infection your GP will ring our doctor to discuss your treatment needs. If it is decided that you need antibiotics to be injected directly into a vein you will receive a call from the nurse to organise the visit. 

If you need rehabilitation at home you or your GP can contact us to discuss your needs.

What time are the visits?

We usually visit between 9.30am and 1.30pm. If our nurses need to visit outside these times we will let you know.

What happens if I have an appointment and will not be available for the visit?

If you are not available for an appointment please talk with your nurse or contact our office a few days beforehand so we can make alternative arrangements.

If you need antibiotics, our doctor will organise these.  You will need to organise your regular medicines with your GP.

Our nursing service is available 24 hours a day. You will be given a phone number to contact us if you feel unwell.  If you are very unwell please go to the Emergency Department.

Please let us know if you need an interpreter. You can contact us telephoning the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450. Tell the operator what language you speak and then ask the interpreter to set up a telephone conversation between you, an interpreter, and the healthcare professional you want to speak with.

Prince of Wales Hospital is a teaching hospital and you may be asked for your permission for a student to be present during the visits. You have the right to say no.  If you do so, this will not influence the treatment or services available to you.

Our Acute Aged Care team includes doctors, nurses and allied health staff who work together with you, your family and carer to meet your physical, mental and emotional needs while you are in hospital, and to begin planning for when you leave hospital.

ReVive program volunteers

Our volunteers receive 12 hours of training to provide support, companionship and practical assistance to patients, particularly those who are feeling confused, are at risk of falling or are losing some abilities as a result of being in hospital. The volunteers spend time with patients, listening to their stories, talking about things of interest, giving hand massages, encouraging them to eat and drink or helping them walk safely around the ward.

If you think your relative might benefit from a visit from a ReViVe volunteer please contact the Aged Care Volunteer Coordinator on 9382 2014. 

The aged care wards offer nursing care to patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A doctor is always on call. Other members of the team are available from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Our nurses will try to connect you with other members of staff at your request but, depending on the time and day and the seriousness of the situation, you may have to wait, particularly when it is after hours or on the weekend. We know this can be frustrating, especially if you are worried about your relative, and will do what we can to answer questions in the meantime.

We value your opinions and know that clear communication is essential for your care. If you do not understand anything please ask us:

• Why are you doing that?
• What does that word mean?
• What does that procedure involve?
• What alternatives are there?
• What side-effects might there be?
• How will this help?

When it comes to sharing information with family and friends, it is helpful if one person takes responsibility for asking staff for updates and passing this information on to the others.

What happens if my relative is transferred to another ward in the hospital?

Sometimes, due to bed availability or specific care needs of a patient, patients may be admitted to other wards around the hospital. These patients will still be cared for by the aged care team and will be seen on a regular basis.

We are a teaching hospital and you may be asked to be involved in research or for a student to be present at your appointment. You have a right to say no. If you do so, this will not impact in any way on the services we will provide.

Please let us know if you need an interpreter. You can contact us telephoning the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450. Tell the operator what language you speak and then ask the interpreter to set up a telephone conversation between you, an interpreter, and the healthcare professional you want to speak with.

Handbook for family and friends of patients admitted to Aged Care Wards

www.myagedcare.gov.au is an Australian Government website and national phone line (1800 200 422) with up-to-date information about Australia’s aged care system and services. It assists people to navigate the aged care system and provides referrals for assessment and service provision.

The Aged Care Information Line provides information on home and community care and financial benefits. Telephone 1800 500 853 TTY 1800 555 677

Our Acute Aged Care team includes doctors, nurses and allied health staff who work together with you, your family and carer to meet your physical, mental and emotional needs while you are in hospital, and to begin planning for when you leave hospital.

ReVive program volunteers

Our volunteers receive 12 hours of training to provide support, companionship and practical assistance to patients, particularly those who are feeling confused, are at risk of falling or are losing some abilities as a result of being in hospital. The volunteers spend time with patients, listening to their stories, talking about things of interest, giving hand massages, encouraging them to eat and drink or helping them walk safely around the ward.

If you think your relative might benefit from a visit from a ReViVe volunteer please contact the Aged Care Volunteer Coordinator on 9382 2014. 

The aged care wards offer nursing care to patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A doctor is always on call. Other members of the team are available from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Our nurses will try to connect you with other members of staff at your request but, depending on the time and day and the seriousness of the situation, you may have to wait, particularly when it is after hours or on the weekend. We know this can be frustrating, especially if you are worried about your relative, and will do what we can to answer questions in the meantime.

We value your opinions and know that clear communication is essential for your care. If you do not understand anything please ask us:

• Why are you doing that?
• What does that word mean?
• What does that procedure involve?
• What alternatives are there?
• What side-effects might there be?
• How will this help?

When it comes to sharing information with family and friends, it is helpful if one person takes responsibility for asking staff for updates and passing this information on to the others.

What happens if my relative is transferred to another ward in the hospital?

Sometimes, due to bed availability or specific care needs of a patient, patients may be admitted to other wards around the hospital. These patients will still be cared for by the aged care team and will be seen on a regular basis.

We are a teaching hospital and you may be asked to be involved in research or for a student to be present at your appointment. You have a right to say no. If you do so, this will not impact in any way on the services we will provide.

Please let us know if you need an interpreter. You can contact us telephoning the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450. Tell the operator what language you speak and then ask the interpreter to set up a telephone conversation between you, an interpreter, and the healthcare professional you want to speak with.

Handbook for family and friends of patients admitted to Aged Care Wards

www.myagedcare.gov.au is an Australian Government website and national phone line (1800 200 422) with up-to-date information about Australia’s aged care system and services. It assists people to navigate the aged care system and provides referrals for assessment and service provision.

The Aged Care Information Line provides information on home and community care and financial benefits. Telephone 1800 500 853 TTY 1800 555 677