Patients and Visitors

What to bring to hospital

What to bring to hospital

Whether you're visiting us for a day appointment or you're staying overnight, you'll need to know what to expect, what to bring and where you can get further information. To make your stay in hospital more comfortable and to assist with your care we recommend you have the following available:

To assist in your care
  • Medications that you are currently taking/using Doctor’s letters, reports, referrals and consent forms relating to your current admission
  • Information about allergies and/or adverse medication reactions
  • All relevant x-rays and scans Next of kin details including contact phone numbers.
Identification and documents
  • Your identification, Medicare card, pension card, Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) card and private health fund details.
  • A note book and pen for writing information and questions.
  • A certified copy of an Advanced Health Directive or Enduring Power of Attorney if available.
To feel comfortable during your stay
  • Comfortable clothes for daytime wear.
  • Comfortable sleep wear and robe.
  • Rubber soled slippers/footwear.
  • Items such as magazines, books, music with personal headphones and a small amount of money.
  • Personal toiletries, including any ointments, eye or ear drops.
  • Any aids, such as glasses, hearing aids, a walking stick or frame.
  • For a child – favourite toy, formula, bottle, nappies and any other special needs items.

We advise you not to bring too many personal belongings as storage space is very limited.

Please do not bring valuables such as jewellery, large sums of cash, or other valuable items. There are no lockable facilities for you to use to secure such items of value.

While every care is taken for security, the hospital does not accept responsibility if valuables are lost or stolen.

Please leave talcum powders at home as it can increase the risk of patients slipping.

Please make your own arrangements with your family or friends to wash your personal clothing as Ipswich Hospital does not have the facilities for the washing of patient clothing.