Going into hospital can be a stressful time for both patients and families. Knowing as much as possible beforehand can help ease the stress. A list of frequently asked questions and answers is listed below to provide some general information in regards to the Mackay Health Service District.
Additional information about your specific procedure and/ or treatment will be provided to you upon admission to hospital.
Seeing family and friends is important to your care. Please check with the hospital prior to your admission about visiting times for your ward so that you can tell family and friends. Encourage friends and family to call the hospital to check on visiting times for your ward prior to coming to see you, in case you have been moved to another ward.
Patients usually have a rest period during the day when visitors are not allowed. At times, for patient comfort and safety, visitors may be limited to no more than two at a time.
Visitors who have colds or other infections should not visit until they are well.
If you would like to visit someone in Intensive Care please check with the staff as there may be special guidelines for visitors.
Mackay Base Hospital:
Clermont Multi-purpose Health Service:
Dysart Hospital:
Moranbah Hospital:
Sarina Hospital:
Proserpine Hospital:
Bowen Hospital:
Collinsville Hospital
Am I able to access the hospital after hours?
Emergency patients are able to be admitted to the Mackay Base Hospital after hours through the emergency ward. Bowen, Clermont, Moranbah, Proserpine and Sarina also have emergency departments that are open 24 hours per day and are staffed or have staff on immediate call to assist with medical emergencies. Emergency or after hours patients will be seen on a triage basis.
Is there after hours maternity access available?
Maternity patients can access the Mackay Base Hospital and Proserpine Hospital 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Do I need a referral to be admitted to hospital?
You will need a referral for all general medical and surgical procedures. You do not need a referral to be admitted through the emergency ward.
Am I able to smoke?
Smoking is not permitted in any area other than the Designated Outdoor Smoking Area (DOSA). Please see the attached location map for the DOSA for each hospital in the Mackay Health Service District Services.
If you are a patient coming into hospital and you smoke, your smoking will be assessed and you will be offered nicotine replacement therapy (nicotine patches or gum) to help you not smoke during your hospital stay. The patches and gum will reduce any withdrawal symptoms such as cravings, irritability and anxiety.
Will meals be provided to me?
If you are staying overnight, you will be offered a choice from the hospital menu for all meals throughout your stay. Special diets can usually be accommodated.
If you are having an operation you will not be able to eat or drink for several hours before. Nursing staff will speak with you about this. Some hospitals in the Mackay Health Service District offer a cafeteria and vending machines for refreshments for visitors.
What will my accommodation be like?
The Mackay Health Service District hospitals have single and shared rooms which accommodate both private and public patients. Rooms are allocated on clinical need. Very ill or infectious patients always have priority to single rooms. Your bed allocation may change during your stay.
Is there a laundry service available?
The Mackay Health Service District hospitals does not provide a laundry service for personal belongings. Please bring enough clothing for your hospital stay or arrange for your family to launder and return items to you.
The Mackay Base Hospital has pastoral care available, from various religious groups upon request. They offer advice, guidance and support and will help anyone regardless of their beliefs. If you or your family would like to see a pastoral care worker please see a staff member and they will provide you with contact details.
Where will I keep my personal belongings ?
If you are staying overnight you will have a bedside locker for your personal belongings. It is helpful if all your belongings are labelled with your name. Please do not bring large amounts of money, jewellery, televisions or other valuables into hospital. Please leave these at home. While our staff take every care, the Mackay Health Service District service does not accept responsibility for any loss or damage that may occur to items you bring into hospital.
What will I do in an emergency situation?
In the event of a fire or other general emergency, please remain calm and wait for staff to tell you what to do.
Please show the staff on the ward any medicines you have brought with you. During your stay your doctor will discuss these and any new medicines you need to take.
All staff and volunteers wear hospital identification badges that include their photograph, name and job title. If you are concerned about the identity of a visitor, please contact a staff member.
Many of the hospitals in the Mackay Region Health District have special services to help you. If you are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, are hearing impaired or need an interpreter, please let the staff know so assistance may be arranged for you, if appropriate.Chaplaincy and counselling services can be arranged.
Our hospital patients, staff and visitors appreciate the dedicated efforts of our volunteers. They help with a wide variety of support services and wear identification badges
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