• Inpatients

    Planned admissions

    Inpatients are people who are booked to stay overnight or longer. You may also be booked for day surgery for small procedures and certain investigations. If you are being admitted for surgery or an investigation you will go to the Perioperative Unit (see map) when you arrive at the hospital. Most patients will be seen at a Preadmission Clinic where your paperwork will be completed and you will be given information and instructions by doctors and nurses. If you are being admitted for inpatient chemotherapy you will arrive at the outpatient chemotherapy unit where your admission will be coordinated.

    Unplanned admissions

    If you are unwell and require admission you will be admitted through clinic, the outpatient chemotherapy unit or the emergency department depending on the circumstances.

    What to bring to hospital

    If you know that you are being admitted to the hospital you will need to bring the following items:.

    • All medications you are currently taking in their original packaging including over the counter preparations such as vitamin supplements, herbal or natural medicines.
    • Diet instructions (if you are on a special diet).
    • Relevant X Rays and scans.
    • Sleepwear and toiletries if you are booked to stay overnight.
    • Dressing gown and slippers. Regular day clothes may be worn if you prefer.
    • Insurance card or booklet (if you have other medical or hospital insurance).
    • Medicare, Concession, Pension, Veterans Affairs, Healthcare Safety Net, or any other entitlement cards.
    • A book to read or a personal music player to help pass the time. You may have a wait before your surgery.

    We ask that you do not bring your valuables to the hospital as we are unable to secure these items for you. You may wish to bring a small sum of money to purchase newspapers and other items.

    Patients at the Sydney Cancer Centre are admitted to specialised wards at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Concord Hospital. The specific ward you are admitted to will be based on your diagnosis and reason for admission. All of the wards have a dayroom where you can relax away from your bed and catch up with family and friends.

    In your room you will have access your own television (charges apply) and a small cabinet with draws (one lockable). You will also have a telephone beside your bed.

    You can ask the ward staff for the extension number so that family and friends can ring direct to your bedside. There is no charge for local calls, to make interstate calls or calls to mobile phones, you can purchase a Phoneaway card from the reception desk at the main entrance to the hospital.

    You will receive breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner while an inpatient. Please let our staff know if you have any dietary requirements or allergies. The wards have fridges in which you will be able to place a small amount of your own food. Please label your items clearly.

    Most people who are having surgical procedures will be admitted to the Day Surgery Unit on the day of their surgery.

    On the day of your surgery

    When you arrive at RPA, go to the Perioperative Unit.  If your surgery is at Concord Hospital refer to their inpatient information booklet for further details.

    On the day of surgery take your usual medications with a small sip of water or as directed. Some medications require specific instructions such as medications for diabetes, Aspirin, Warfarin or Iscover (Clopidogrel). If you take any of these medications and have not been given specific instructions you should call the hospital switchboard and ask for the anaesthetist rostered for anaesthetic referrals between 8am and 5pm. Ask for specific directions about whether to take this medication before your surgery.

    Outside these hours please ask for the Patient Services Manager.

    Same day discharge

    If you are going home on the day of your surgery, after your operation you will return to the Day Surgery Unit where you will be cared for until you are ready to be discharged home. You cannot drive following day surgery and must arrange for someone to take you home and stay with you overnight.

    Overnight stay

    If you are expecting to stay in the hospital for one or more nights following your surgery, you will be taken to your room after your surgery.

    Single (private) rooms

    There are a limited number of single (private) rooms available. These are allocated according to medical need. If you are admitted to a single room, you may be asked to move to a shared room if another patient in the ward becomes very ill and requires intensive treatment and/or privacy.

    More information

    Coming to hospital (PDF 270KB) 

    Royal Prince Alfred Hospital website