Yes, upon admission, staff should be advised of your preferred language. Interpreters in the following languages are available: Vietnamese, Cambodian, Mandarin, Polish, Greek, Serbian, Croatian, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Cantonese, French, Chiu Chow, Arabic and Turkish.

• depending on the ward, different rules and arrangements apply. Please contact the ward of the patient for further information
• please be aware that a fee may apply for providing overnight accommodation for family and friends.

We recommend you turn off your phone as you enter our facilities.  A number of our machines are sensitive to mobile phones.

Appointments should be directed to the department in which your specialist works or through their consultation rooms.

Our switchboard [03 9594 6666] can assist and direct your call to your specialist or appropriate area.

An important way to reduce stress before and during your hospital stay is to plan ahead so you have nothing to worry about on the home front. Personal areas to take care of may include:

• money - pay any outstanding bills and make sure your banking is up to date
• home - if you are single, make sure friends and/or neighbours know when you are entering hospital and when you are expected home.  Arrange collection of mail.
  

There is limited accommodation available at:

• Wright Street Flats – This is a service provided to families of critically-ill patients and immediate family members or carers who reside more than 100km from Monash Medical Centre, Clayton. Further information on this service can be obtained through our Social Work Department on 03 9594 2290.
• Ronald McDonald House Monash provides a ‘home-away-from-home’ for families of children with serious illness.

• Wards/Rooms - all meals are prepared and served from our modern kitchen. Special diet requirements and nutrition information is available on request
• Cafeteria Facilities - Cafes are located at Clayton, Moorabbin, Casey and Dandenong Hospitals.

Your length of stay in hospital will be determined by the procedure that you have had. Prior to discharge your doctor will identify if your recovery needs can be met by returning home, to your family or a rehabilitation facility. They will identify what follow-up appointments and care is required.

Patients will be asked to purchase items of equipment, personal aids, shoes, dentures, spectacles, etc. which may be required.

Patients may be dropped off and picked up at our hospitals main entrances.  Public parking is available for a minimal charge at all our hospitals.

As Victoria's largest teaching hospital we are able to treat chronic and complex illnesses. Being a private patient in a public hospital you can use your specialist of choice. If they are unavailable, you can choose to be treated by a hospital specialist, on call at that time where you will be admitted under the care of that doctor.

You can also access our only private hospital in the Southern Health group - Jessie McPherson Private Hospital specialising in:

• Maternity Services
• Cardiology
• Cardiothoracics (adult and adolescent)
• Gastrosciences
• Neurosciences
• Vascular Surgery

If you are an elective patient, the specialist medical team (consultant, registrar) of that unit will treat you, unless the specialist of your choice has already arranged to treat you.

When you are discharged, you can choose to have your follow-up appointments through the hospital or your specialist may choose to see you in his/her consultation rooms.

By choosing to be a private patient you assist the hospital, to maintain equipment, retain and employ new staff and improve patient care. This in turn benefits all patients and the community as a whole.

Although we provide most of what you'll need, additional personal items should include: 

• a lightweight dressing gown
• a nightgown or pyjamas and underwear
• slippers or other comfortable shoes with non-slip soles
• toiletries (soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush or comb, tissues, shampoo, razor.) Face washers are supplied
• a pen
• a small amount of pocket money
• your current medication
• Medicare Card and Health Insurance details, if any
• other personal items, such as a sheepskin or special pillows, should be marked very clearly
• please do not bring valuables, we can only look after them in emergencies.

As a health promoting health service, smoking is not allowed on Southern Health property.  There are no designated areas to smoke.  On World No Tobacco Day 31 May 2009 Southern Health introduced a total ban on smoking within our boundaries.  Patients can access nicotine replacement therapy and support to QUIT.

Cafes are located in Clayton, Moorabbin, Casey and Dandenong Hospitals. Ask for directions from the admission staff.

The hospital's main reception can provide general patient information.  Our reception and hospital volunteers can provide general information on ward locations, hospital facilities and services.

Ward clerks of each ward will be able to help you.

• family and friends are encouraged to visit patients
• children can sometimes find hospitals daunting.  When visiting the hospital we ask that children be supervised by an adult at all times.
• please note that visiting hours and rest periods vary from ward to ward

After hours queries should be directed to the hospital switchboard on 03 9594 6666.  You will then be transferred to the most appropriate person to answer the enquiry.

Our services and programs are not offered at all of our locations.  Therefore patients may need to be transferred to access specialist care for their medical requirements.