MDHB News

Palmerston North Hospital Patient Information

Information for patients who will be staying at Palmerston North Hospital.

Patient Safety

Patients are expected to:

Follow staff instructions in the event of an emergency
Not use cell phones
Ensure your razor, hairdryer etc is in good working order
Not use an electric blanket.

Prepare for all procedures according to the instructions given to you. If in doubt, ring the department or ask a staff member.

Patient feedback

Look for the ‘Tell Us What You Think’ forms.
Advise MidCentral Health of your suggestion, problem or compliment. If you have a complaint, please let MidCentral Health know. Details are in the ‘Rights and Responsibilities'’ brochure.

Items to bring to hospital:

Nightwear, dressing gown, day clothing and slippers.
Toiletries, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, shaving kit, comb, brush; tampons/sanitary towels (for women).
Glasses, hearing aid and/or walking aid.
Favourite toy or blanket for child.
Tissues, handkerchiefs.
Change for telephone/newspapers.
Items for personal use, such as a pen, writing paper, books, magazines.
Any private xrays or scans.
Any documents in your possession relating to ACC compensation.
Medication – please bring all medication you are currently taking including any natural remedies and supplements. They will be returned to you when you leave. Where practical, staff will continue to use your own medicines once they have been charted so your pre-existing treatment is not interrupted. Any extra medicines associated with your admission will be provided by the hospital.

Remember, MidCentral Health cannot take responsibility for the safety of these items in all patient areas.

A Support/Contact Person

If you know when the doctor is coming around, it is encouraged that your support person be present. We can arrange a meeting with the doctor – please ask a staff member. Should you or staff see it as desirable, a family group conference will be arranged.
Your identified support/contact person will receive information about your care unless you tell staff that you do not want them to do that. We will obtain your permission before giving information to any other relative or friend.
To ensure you receive the appropriate care for your medical condition, staff ask that you are open and honest with the information you give us.
Your discharge will be planned as soon as possible. It is important that once you are clinically safe, staff will discharge you from hospital. This will ensure that beds are free for acutely ill patients. You may be transferred to the Transit Lounge to wait for your family to pick you up. It may be that you will have to wait there to collect your discharge letter and prescription. Every effort is made to ensure that your discharge goes as smoothly as possible.

Ensuring everyone Gets the Necessary Treatment

Access into services provided by MidCentral Health will be assessed on clinical criteria. This ensures resources are used by those people needing the services the most. The majority of services provided by MidCentral Health are free of charge. Should you be required to pay, you will be informed before the service is provided.

Patient Responsibilities

Smoking is detrimental to your health. MidCentral Health has a ‘No Smoking’ policy.

This means:

No smoking on the Palmerston North Hospital site for staff, patients and visitors
Alcohol and illicit drugs are not permitted on MidCentral Health sites.

We need to keep all patients and staff safe. Many areas are monitored with:

Surveillance cameras
Access card only admittance.

Please don’t be offended if we inquire into your business on the site. All visitors on site after 8.00pm will be monitored.

You have responsibilities while you are on MidCentral Health sites. Should your behaviour be unacceptable, you will be asked to leave.

MidCentral Health can not be responsible for personal possessions, so please only bring what is absolutely necessary to the hospital.

Electrical Equipment

All bed sides have a radio with earphones.
Each patient area has a TV in the lounge.
Bringing radios, TVs, laptops, mobile phones into the hospital is not encouraged.

Many health professionals and support staff will be involved in your care

You will be under the care of a Specialist Consultant.
The consultant will have the support of a Registrar and House Surgeon. During the week you will be seen daily by a doctor. During the weekend, a doctor will see you if it is clinically indicated.
You will have a team of nurses caring for you who may be supported by physiotherapists, social workers, occupational therapists, speech therapists, psychologists, dieticians, pharmacist technicians and care assistants. You can expect these people to introduce themselves and explain their role in your care. Some of these health professionals will be training.
Write down questions you or your family wish to ask any health professional to ensure you get all the information you need.

Chaplains/Tohunga

If you have identified your desire to see a Chaplain on admission, you will be visited. If during your admission you require comfort, prayer, communion, anointing, confidential sharing or family support, please ask a staff member to arrange it for you.

Ecumenical Communion is taken in the Chapel every Sunday at 10.30am.

Newspapers/Volunteers

Both the Dominion Post and Evening Standard are sold daily at your beside.

Volunteers provide:

A mobile shop
Replacement magazines
Arrangement of flowers.

MidCentral Health Pharmacy

Provides hospital only and specialised prescription/products. The health professional caring for you will direct you there as necessary. For more information please go to the Pharmacy page.

Interpreter Services

Patient Rights

Please ensure you receive a copy of MidCentral Health ‘Rights and Responsibility’ brochure or look for one of the posters in the area you are in. MidCentral Health staff have a responsibility to deliver health care to you ensuring your rights are met.

Should you require an advocate that is not a MidCentral Health staff member, please contact ADNET on phone (06) 353 7236.

Please look for specific information in the ward if you are an inpatient.