In a life threatening emergency dial Triple Zero (000)

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Depending on the treatment and care you need during your hospital stay, you will meet many different staff members. We all wear a name badge, will introduce ourselves to you and explain why we are seeing you.

A woman walks with an aid under the care of a physiotherapist

Doctors

We have a range of doctors who specialise in different health issues or parts of the body. A doctor or a team of doctors with experience working with your health issue will talk with you about what treatment and care is best for you. As a teaching hospital, you will also be seen by doctors who are finishing their studies. You can ask your doctor about any plans for your treatment and care.

Nurses

Nurses will look after your daily care needs. These include things like taking your blood pressure and giving you medicine if you need it. They will also help you use the toilet and shower if you need help. Nurses look after several patients during each shift. Your nurse will change from shift to shift. During your hospital stay a nurse will be available 24 hours a day.

Allied health staff

Allied health staff come from a range of different professions and are here to support you, your doctors and nurses in providing the care you need.

You will work with some of our allied health staff to help you get well.

They include:

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Liaison Service: help you with support, advocating for you and liaising with others during your stay.
  • Allied health assistants: work with therapists in caring for you.
  • Clinical measurement scientists such as respiratory and sleep scientists: check and improve how you sleep and breathe.
  • Dietitians: help you work out the best diet for you.
  • Exercise physiologists: help you to prevent and manage your chronic diseases and injuries through exercise and movement.
  • Medical imaging staff: take scans and x-rays to see inside your body.
  • Occupational therapists: help you be safe doing day to day tasks.
  • Physiotherapists: help you get the best movement in your body.
  • Pathology staff: take blood, urine and tissue samples and test them.
  • Pharmacists: give you medicine and information.
  • Psychologists: help you with your thoughts and emotions.
  • Social workers: help you connect with your community and provide practical support.
  • Speech pathologists: help you with talking and swallowing.

Non-clinical staff

Staff who are not health professionals are called non-clinical staff. They include ward clerks, wards persons, ward assistants, personal support officers, food services staff, patient support officers, customer service officers and cleaning staff. Together, they take care of the daily running of the hospital.

One of the most important people involved in your care is you, your family and/or carers. Find out more about getting involved in your own care.

Nursing handover and doctors rounds

Our doctors will do their rounds every day, usually in the morning. If you or your carer wish to speak with the doctor you can ask the doctor or the nursing staff when they expect rounds to be.

Rounds

Your medical team visit your bedside to check on your condition and make plans for your care.

Nursing handover happens at the beginning and end of each nursing shift. The nurses who have been caring for you for the shift will share information at your bedside with the nursing staff who are starting their shift. You are welcome to participate in the handover.

Nursing handover

At the end of each nursing shift the nursing teams meet to share information on your condition and care.

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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