In a life threatening emergency dial Triple Zero (000)

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There are some things you will need to bring with you if you are admitted to Canberra Hospital, North Canberra Hospital or the University of Canberra Hospital.

You may choose to bring electronic devices like mobile phones, laptop computers and tablets. Don’t forget to pack your charger. You may also wish to bring a small amount of cash or a bank card if you anticipate being able to take short trips out of the ward to the cafĂ©.

We do not accept responsibility for lost items, including valuable items. Storage space is limited. Your items will be left in your room while you go for tests or treatments. Whilst our hospital is a safe environment, to save the stress of items getting lost it is best to leave valuable items such as jewellery at home.

If you have brought something valuable to the hospital and you are unable to get someone to take it home for you, please ask your nurse to store it in the safe until someone can take it home for you or until you leave hospital.

If you are not an Australian citizen and do not have a Medicare card please bring your passport, visa, insurance information and proof of address. Depending on which country you are from, you may need to pay for your hospital stay.

Documents

If applicable to you:

  • any letters or correspondence we have sent you
  • Medicare card
  • Veteran Affairs card
  • contact details for your General Practitioner (GP), next of kin and carer
  • Advanced Care Plan, if you have one
  • Enduring Power of Attorney, Health Direction, Statement of Choices or Guardianship documents. We will make copies and give you back your original
  • any X-rays and scans relevant to the treatment you are coming to hospital for
  • private health fund details if you have one
  • workers’ compensation or third-party insurance claim documents
  • details of any health professionals you see privately, such as physiotherapist or naturopath.

Medicines

If applicable to you, please bring your medicines with you. This will help us know what medicines you usually take.

Our nursing staff may ask that someone take these home for you once we have the information we need. If you don’t have someone who can do this for you, we will store your medicines until you leave hospital.

Bring all your usual medicines in their original packaging. If you have a Webster-Pak or dose administration aid, bring them along.

Medicines include:

  • tablets and capsules
  • mixtures
  • inhalers and puffers
  • creams, ointments and patches
  • sprays
  • injections
  • any medicine bought over the counter without a prescription from am pharmacy or supermarket
  • vitamins, herbal or alternative medicines.

Personal items

  • Comfortable clothes and pyjamas. You may need a couple of changes of clothes.
  • Shoes or slippers that are firm, enclosed and supportive with non-slip soles. Avoid loose footwear and bed socks as these can increase your risk of trips and falls.
  • Toiletries such as toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, shampoo, hairbrush, comb or razor.
  • Your continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, if applicable. Make sure you have your name on it.
  • Any items you may have such as a walking aids, dentures, hearing aids, eyeglasses.
  • If you are staying at the University of Canberra Hospital and will be using the hydrotherapy pool you will need to bring something to wear in the pool.

If you are staying for more than a day or two you will need to ask family or friends to take your dirty clothes home and bring you more clean clothes. Please tell us if you don’t have someone who can do this for you.

What not to bring

You should not bring things like:

  • large sums of cash or valuable items
  • electrical items like hairdryers, hair straighteners, televisions or fridges
  • alcohol or tobacco products
  • perfume or highly scented toiletries.

You can download and print the list of What to pack for hospital (PDF, 97.87 KB).

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In the case of a life threatening emergency, dial Triple Zero (000).

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Contact us

Switchboard Canberra Hospital
(02) 5124 0000

International callers
+61 (2) 5124 0000

Switchboard North Canberra Hospital
(02) 6201 6111

International callers
+61 (2) 6201 6111

Switchboard other hospitals and services
(02) 5124 0000

International callers
+61 (2) 5124 0000

The switchboard handles all calls to, from and within the hospital 24 hours/seven days a week