Endoscopy Centre

Your Hospital Booking

The booking for your hospital stay will be made through your Doctor's rooms.

Please ensure you complete the Admission Form and return it to Gosford Private Endoscopy Centre at 66 Etna Street, North Gosford at least one week prior to your admission date.

In some cases, your Doctor will book you in for the next day. In these cases it is imperative that you contact us as soon as possible and speak to the Administration staff to confirm your admission and details relating to your hospital stay.

Online Pre-Admission

You can save time and paper by completing your pre-Admission Form online. Our secure Online pre-Admission Form is quick and convenient to use and we assure the confidential transmission of your information.

Costs and Insurance Cover

The cost of your procedure will depend on your level of health insurance. Should you have any questions regarding the cost of your procedure or surgery, please contact us and ask to speak to our pre-Admission staff.

It is your responsibility to pay for any costs you may incur. Contact your insurer (health fund, Workers Compensation insurer or other) to confirm exactly what costs will be covered.

For further information, refer to the following sections:

• Fees and Accounts
• Veterans / DVA

Payment Methods

We accept cheque, Mastercard, Visa or EFTPOS. Please note that all credit card transactions will incur a 1.5% surcharge.

Admission Confirmation

It’s important to confirm your details including the date and time of Admission, your procedure and your expectations relating to discharge and post discharge care.

The hospital will contact you the afternoon or evening prior to your Admission, between 3:00pm and 8:00pm.

Before speaking with the Administration staff, please ensure you have the following information ready as applicable to you:

• Name and contact details of your next-of-kin and a second local contact person
• Name and contact details of your General Practitioner
• Medicare card
• Department of Veterans' Affairs card
• Pension card
• Health Care card
• Safety Net or Concession card
• Private health insurance membership card
• Health history and a list of current medications

Getting Ready for Hospital

In preparation for your procedure:

• Please shower at home before coming to hospital
• Don’t apply talcum powder, deodorant, make-up, nail polish, etc.
• Please remove all body piercings
• Wear loose and comfortable clothing
• Please advise your admitting Doctor of your current medications and confirm if you should continue to take these medications prior to your Admission

Fasting

Fasting details will be advised the day prior to your Admission by our Endoscopy Centre staff or your Doctor.

It’s advisable to refrain from smoking a minimum of twelve hours prior to your surgery or procedure.

Cold or Illness

Please contact the hospital or your Doctor if you develop an illness prior to surgery.

What do I bring to hospital?

Please bring the following items to hospital, where applicable:

• All medications you are currently taking (in original packaging)
• Relevant Xrays or scans
• Medicare card
• Private health insurance membership card
• Pensioner card
• Veterans' affairs entitlement card
• Safety Net or pharmacy entitlement card
• Drivers licence or accepted identification
• WorkCover or other insurance details
• Any letters from your doctor
• Blood Group card (if available)
• Dressing gown and slippers or comfortable shoes
• Glasses and physical aids (walking sticks, hearing aids)
• A personal entertainment device or book to read

Please do not bring the following items with you:

• Jewellery
• Large sums of money
• Other valuables

The hospital doesn’t accept responsibility for the security of your possessions, including jewellery, watches and money.

Please note that mobile phones must not be used in some areas of the hospital, as their signals can interfere with electronic medical equipment.

What to Expect

Many diagnostic procedures only require sedation in order to make you pleasantly drowsy, yet comfortable enough for the doctor to perform the necessary procedure.

Usually a sedative drug is given via a needle inserted into the back of your hand. Many patients don’t recall this, and only become aware when they are back in recovery.

After your operation or procedure, you’ll be made comfortable while your condition is monitored until you’ve recovered. Once you’ve recovered, you’ll be offered a light snack prior to discharge.

For more complex procedures, the length of stay will depend on your condition after your procedure.

On Arrival

Your Admission time will have been advised by the hospital’s Administration staff. It is important to arrive on time for your appointment as you may require medication prior to your operation. On arrival, please register at the Endoscopy Centre front Reception.

You may experience some delay or waiting time prior to your surgery. This delay is necessary to accommodate the clinical scheduling requirements of your treating Doctors. We appreciate your understanding and apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Patient Feedback

We value your feedback at Gosford Private Hospital. Whether you want to pass on a compliment or provide feedback to help improve our service, we encourage you to:

• Speak with your Nurse
• Ask to speak with the Unit Manager

For more information, refer to Your Rights or the Patient Feedback page.

Discharge

Before leaving the Endoscopy Centre, all patients are required to be formally discharged by our hospital Administration staff. Please ensure you speak to the staff at one of our Reception areas prior to leaving the hospital.

Upon discharge, you’ll be given any necessary instructions, including a prescription for any medications and details of any follow up appointments with your Doctor.

A comfortable seating area is provided in the hospital foyer while you wait for your transport to go home.

Getting Home

If you’ve had heavy sedation or a general anaesthetic, you won’t be permitted to leave the Endoscopy Centre alone. Please note the following:

• You’ll need to arrange to be picked up and organise a responsible adult to be present with you for the first night you are home following general anaesthesia
• Staff will contact the person who is picking you up when you’re fit to go home
• Transportation home by taxi is not permitted without a responsible adult who accepts responsibility to take you home
• For your own comfort and safety, you shouldn’t take any alcoholic beverage for at least 24 hours after discharge
• After general anaesthetic, patients aren’t permitted to drive any motor vehicle, operate machinery or make any important decisions for at least 24 hours
• Special arrangements can be made to assist DVA patients get home safely after their hospital stay.