Pre-Admission Clinic
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need to attend the Pre-Admission Clinic?
As a patient, you are required to attend Pre-Admission Clinic to ensure you are fit enough for your intended surgery. During this appointment you will see an anaesthetic doctor, surgical doctor, nurse and other health workers. It is also a good opportunity to have any of your questions answered before your admission to hospital.
How do I get to the Pre-Admission Clinic?
We are located on level 3, opposite the central lifts.
What do I bring to this appointment?
- A recent health summary from your General Practitioner (GP), including a list of current medications and over the counter medications.
- Your Medicare card
- Recent X-Rays and scans relevant to your surgery
- Copies of the most recent letter/s from your specialist (for example: cardiologists, haematologists, respiratory, renal and endocrine)
- Your most recent blood test results (within 6 months)
- Copies of your investigation results. (for example your most recent cardiac echocardiogram, stress test or coronary angiogram).
- Details of any anaesthetic complications you are aware of and any allergy testing you may have completed.
- Any other significant investigation results or issues that you feel would help us manage your surgery better.
What happens if I do not bring all the information?
If we do not have all the necessary reports and information at your appointment, it may mean the doctors will need to delay your surgery or refer you to other specialists, depending on your type of surgery and your medical conditions.
Do I need to fast for this appointment?
Fasting is not required for this appointment.
What happens if I do not attend this appointment?
Failure to attend this could result in your surgery being delayed. Please call us on 9540 7611 if you need to change your appointment date.
Who do I call if I require any further information about this appointment?
Please contact the Admission officer at 9540 7611 if you have any questions.
What if English is not my first language?
Please inform the booking officer who can organise an interpreter. We do encourage a friend or relative who can speak English to accompany you to avoid any delay.
How long does the pre-admission visit take?
Depending on your surgery, you may be here for up to 2 to 6 hours. Please remember to bring some lunch especially if you are diabetic. There are cafeteria facilities available; however it is advisable to bring your own food if walking is difficult for you.
What if I need support after surgery?
Please let us know if you will require assistance following surgery. We will be pleased to refer you to a social worker or other services.
Can I have Telehealth?
Please let us know if you have special circumstances.
This will depend on your type of surgery and your medical conditions.
How do I contact the Pre-Admission Clinic?
Office hours: Monday – Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm
Telephone: 02 9540 7611.
Office hours: Monday – Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm
-34.0371613, 151.1147459
Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Service
We acknowledge Sutherland Hospital is on land traditionally owned by the Dharawal people of the Eora nation. We pay our respects to elders past and present.
We welcome all people requiring care and their families, carers and friends to our hospital.
We ask all people coming to our hospital ‘Are you living as or known as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander in your community?’ If you answer yes, we will contact Samantha Gifford, our Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer (AHLO) and let her know you are here.
Coming to hospital can be a difficult time. Samantha is available to have a yarn if you are finding it difficult being away from your home and family, if you are dealing with sorry business or feel a bit lonely or anxious.
Samantha is part of our Social Work team and is available to provide you the following support
- Provide you with and your family with emotional, social and cultural support
- Advocate and liaise with other staff on your behalf
- Provide information about hospital services
- Provide information on your rights and responsibilities
- Organise referrals to other services (eg Aboriginal, Legal, Child Care Protection)
- Help you get financial assistance if you need it (eg pensions, benefits, IPTAAS (Isolated Patient’s Travel and Accommodation Scheme))
- Advice on accommodation if you are travelling to Sydney from the country
- Help you and the social worker to fill in an application for housing
- Work with the hospital team to organise nursing, hospice or respite care if you need it
- Organise for you to get help if you need it when you get home. This includes help with housework, shopping, meals on wheels or any equipment you might need.
You can read our brochure for more information.
Samantha Gifford - Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer
Hours
8:00am - 4:30pm Monday to Friday
Aboriginal Health Implementation Plan 2021-2023 for Sutherland Hospital and St George Hospital
Social Work The Sutherland Hospital
How We Can Help You
- Changes related to an illness or disability
- Supporting you if you have a life limiting illness
- Anxiety about your hospital stay and support for your family while you are in hospital
- Offer support in times of stress, distress
- Coping with loss, grief and trauma
- Planning for when you leave hospital
- Accessing Respite or Permanent Residential Aged Care
- Providing information about services and other community resources: including psychological support, aged care support services, Centrelink, Housing NSW, NDIS, Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS)
- We can also provide you with information about other agencies and services.
We also provide a service to outpatients who attend the Oncology Day Clinic, the Pre-Admission Clinic (planned surgery) and the Antenatal Clinic.
Contact Us
Our Resources
Helpful Links
- My Aged Care
- Carer Gateway
- Planning Ahead (Wills, Power of Attorney, Enduring Guardianship, Advance Care Planning)
- NDIS
- Youth Services
- Sutherland Shire Community Support Services Directory
- Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme
- Legal Aid Health Justice Partnership
Hours
Monday to Friday - We are available 8:00am - 4:30pm
Weekends and Afterhours - We provide a limited weekend service and an after-hours crisis on-call social work service, if you need our help outside the times listed above then please speak with your nurse or doctor.
Department Head
Ben Birrell