Hospitals, surgery and procedures

Victoria’s hospital system consists of both private and public hospitals, offering a range of healthcare services...

How your journey into hospital begins in Victoria depends on whether your visit is planned or unplanned, and what kind of health pathway you require...

Treatment as a public patient in Victorian public hospitals is free to all Australian citizens and most permanent residents of Australia...

In Victoria, hospital staff roles vary by hospital. Becoming familiar with the types of hospital staff roles will help you understand who to turn to when you need help...

People from all backgrounds can benefit from language and cultural support in Victoria’s health system...

Learn about improving and maintaining your health during a hospital stay...

Depending on your situation and country of origin, you may be required to pay the full cost for medical treatment provided to you by a public hospital, and you may need to have health insurance for...

Patient-centred care, also known as ‘person-centred care’, is about treating the person receiving the care in the way they want to be treated...

If illness or injury forces you to take time off from work, it can have a big impact on your life. The time it takes to recover full health can change the way you feel about yourself. You can lose...

Learn about the types of paperwork required before, during and after a hospital visit, and find out about your rights regarding your patient records...

Some rural patients have to travel to regional centres or metropolitan areas for the healthcare they need. The Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme can subsidise travel and accommodation...

Specialist clinics at hospital provide services that are located in a hospital. This helps the service get the best outcome for your treatment and care. Specialist clinics in hospitals are an...

If you need to go to hospital to see a specialist or surgeon, you have the right to choose both the hospital and the specialist you want...

Coordinating your hospital appointments well will ensure the process of diagnosing, treating and recovering from or living with medical issues runs as smoothly as possible...

To make sure you are ready for a hospital stay, make yourself a preparing for surgery checklist. This will help you before you go to hospital and help after surgery...

Treatment as a public patient in Victorian public hospitals is free to all Australian citizens and most permanent residents of Australia...

Going to hospital can be frightening for a child. Preparing a child for hospital with the right level of information at the right time will help ease their anxiety...

Preparing for a hospital stay includes knowing what to take, making sure your home, work and family commitments are taken care of and making arrangements for your return home...

Preparing for surgery is important. Maximising your recovery will depend on how you prepare for surgery...

If illness or injury forces you to take time off from work, it can have a big impact on your life. The time it takes to recover full health can change the way you feel about yourself. You can lose...

Before you go into hospital, plan your journey to make sure you get there on time. You might use non-emergency patient transport if it is clinically necessary...

Finding your way around a hospital can be challenging. Use a hospital map to find the different departments, services and facilities...

Going to hospital is stressful for many people, but knowing what happens on admission to hospital and understanding your hospital’s admission procedure can help reduce some anxiety...

Learn about improving and maintaining your health during a hospital stay...

If illness or injury forces you to take time off from work, it can have a big impact on your life. The time it takes to recover full health can change the way you feel about yourself. You can lose...

All patients are vulnerable to falls regardless of age, although as you get older, there is a higher risk of falling...

Hospital security arrangements ensure the safety of all staff, patients and visitors and provide a safe and secure environment for everyone...

There is a range of support to help you communicate with your doctor and hospital to get the services you need, from interpreters to special food and emotional support...

While staying in hospital communication is important...

This checklist provides a list of things to think about regarding health decisions in hospital...

To make sure you are ready for a hospital stay, make yourself a preparing for surgery checklist. This will help you before you go to hospital and help after surgery...

Eating well and drinking plenty of water while staying in hospital is important to your health and recovery...

It is important to talk with your healthcare professionals about any continence issues that you may experience when you are in hospital, so staff can investigate and help to solve the problem...

Regular assessments are performed by hospital staff during your hospital stay. Assessments help to find the cause of your illness and check your ability to do day-to-day tasks...

All Victorian hospitals have a patient services staff and social workers on staff. They can help you and your family with hospital accommodation and hospital support services...

Find out why it's important to keep moving and be active while staying in hospital and what simple activities you can do to help you get well sooner...

Find out why it's important to eat and drink regularly while you're recovering from illness in hospital...

Making sure your regular commitments are taken care of during a hospital stay will give you peace of mind to concentrate on your recovery...

Medications play an important role in your recovery...

During convalescence, it may be beneficial to set goals for each day which will aid in your recovery...

Family, friends and carers can provide both practical and emotional support to a person who has experienced a major trauma and is about to leave hospital...

Improving your lifestyle can relieve the symptoms of illness or injury and improve recovery...

As you prepare to leave hospital, you or your carer will already be planning what you need to know about your care outside of hospital, including day-to-day living and support, your medication, your...

Learn about improving and maintaining your health during a hospital stay...

The Post Acute Care (PAC) Program provides short-term services and support for those who need extra help at home after a public hospital stay...

Start your hospital discharge planning before you leave hospital. Speak with your healthcare team to understand the hospital’s discharge process to get the support you need in place...

If illness or injury forces you to take time off from work, it can have a big impact on your life. The time it takes to recover full health can change the way you feel about yourself. You can lose...

All patients are vulnerable to falls regardless of age, although as you get older, there is a higher risk of falling...

Major surgery can require some time to recover from. After your discharge from hospital, you may need intensive physical rehabilitation, or to simply take it easy for a few days. Make sure you get the...

In a medical emergency, call triple zero (000) for assistance...

The emergency department is staffed by highly trained clinicians, including nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals...

Regular assessments are performed by hospital staff during your hospital stay. Assessments help to find the cause of your illness and check your ability to do day-to-day tasks...

It is important to talk with your healthcare professionals about any continence issues that you may experience when you are in hospital, so staff can investigate and help to solve the problem...

Eating well and drinking plenty of water while staying in hospital is important to your health and recovery...

Medications play an important role in your recovery...

Sticking to your normal routine as much as possible and trying to feel comfortable and aware of your surroundings can help your mind and mood while in hospital...

Learn about improving and maintaining your health during a hospital stay...

Managing your pain can help your recovery in hospital...

All patients are vulnerable to falls regardless of age, although as you get older, there is a higher risk of falling...

During a stay in hospital, your skin may be affected by staying in bed or sitting in one position for too long, your mobility, your hydration and diet, and your physical condition...

Staying physically and mentally active can help you recover faster and reduce the chance of problems when you go home...

If you cough or choke when you are eating, or find that food or medication ‘sticks’ in your mouth or throat, you may have a swallowing problem...

The Health Complaints Commissioner can accept complaints about anyone who claims to provide a health service...

There are laws that set out how healthcare professionals can collect and store your health information and when they are allowed to share it...

You have rights when seeking medical care, including a right to comment on your care, and to have your concerns addressed...

Informed consent means having enough information about a medical procedure to decide whether to have it done...

Learn about improving and maintaining your health during a hospital stay...

You and your carers should expect clear communication about medical issues and treatment options and costs in hospital in a way that you can understand...

If illness or injury forces you to take time off from work, it can have a big impact on your life. The time it takes to recover full health can change the way you feel about yourself. You can lose...

All patients are vulnerable to falls regardless of age, although as you get older, there is a higher risk of falling...

You have the right to ask a doctor for a second opinion if you are unsure about your doctor's suggested medical treatment or a diagnosis...

The Ombudsman looks into complaints about Victorian government departments...