Outlined below is some general information for patients and visitors we hope will be helpful. More detailed information will be available in the inpatient area.

During their stay, patients will have their condition assessed and treated by our medical/nursing staff and multi-disciplinary team.  This may involve some tests, x-rays and other investigations.  We encourage patients, family, whanau to talk to our medical and nursing staff about any questions or concerns they may have. We are here to help and make our patients time with us as comfortable as possible.

Family/Whanau Room

This facility is available to family/whanau/significiant others in the ward. It is situated at the end of the main ward and has a fully equipped kitchen, tea/coffee making facilities, bathroom, small living and dining area, T V and sleeping facilities.  Please contact nursing staff if you wish to use the Family/Whanau room.  This facility has been made possible by the generous support of the Cancer Society.

Fire Procedures

If the fire alarm bell should ring, please remain calm and wait for instructions from staff members in the location you are in.  You will be told what to do and where to go.  There is a fire warden for each area in the building and staff are fully trained as to what to do in an emergency situation such as a fire.  There are a number of fire exits within the building and staff will direct/take you to these.

Mail

Incoming mail is delivered to the wards Monday to Friday during the afternoon.  Mail should be addressed to:                            

 C/- Gore Hospital, P O Box 274, GORE 9740

If you wish to send mail out of the hospital please ask your nurse, or the receptionist, to place it in the outgoing mail tray at reception.  Outgoing mail is posted approximately 2.30pm Monday to Friday. Any flowers or parcels that arrive will be delivered to the patient when they arrive.  There are vases available for flowers and can be obtained by asking a staff member. 

Meals

Meals are provided to patients in the wards at the following times:                                        

Breakfast          8.00am          Morning Tea        10.00am         Lunch       12 noon         

 Afternoon Tea     2.30pm          Tea         5.00pm

These are either served in your room, or in the Dining Room at the end of the main ward.if you need a special diet for example, religious, ethnic, vegetarian needs, or if you have an allergy to certain foods, please discuss with your nurse and she will arrange for the Dietician to visit you. Tea and coffee making facilities for visitors are available in the Family/Whanau room at the end of the main ward or in the maternity lounge. 

Money/Valuables

It is not advisable to bring valuables, jewellery or large sums of money into hospital with you. You may need a small amount of money for your day to day needs e.g. newspaper.

Newspapers

Newspapers are delivered to the hospital Monday to Saturday and include The Southland Times, Newslink and The Ensign. There is a charge for The Southland Times.  These newspapers can be obtained either from The Southland Times Honesty Box located near the Nursing Station or from your nurse.  Change for the Southland Times can be obtained from Reception.

Patient Computer

There is a computer with internet access available for patients to use in the patient's lounge at the end of the main ward.  If you have any difficulty accessing this please contact a staff member.

Public Toilets

These are located in the reception foyer at the main entrance and opposite our Emergency Department near the waiting room.  There is a toilet for those requiring wheelchair access at the entrance to the main ward.

Returned Service Association Visitors

Representatives of the RSA visit the hospital on a regular basis, usually at the weekend.  If you are an RSA member, please let the reception staff know on admission, and they will put your name on the visiting list for RSA.

Smoking                                                            

Gore Hospital has a 'smoke free' policy. This is in the interest of your health and that of others within the hospital. Smoking is not permitted within the hospital building or grounds.

Spiritual Care

Ministers, priests and lay church visitors from the various denominations attend the hospital on a regular basis.  If you have stated your religious denomination on admission, you may be visited by a church member of your denomination.  If you do not wish to have a visit, please let the receptionist or your nurse know.  If you wish to see your own minister or priest at any time please feel free to contact them, or ask a staff member to do so.

Telephones

There are public telephones (toll barred) in the main reception foyer and also in the Maternity Patient lounge.   There is a portable phone in the ward that may be used for patients who are confined to bed - please ask nursing staff if you wish to use this phone.

Visiting Hours

Gore Hospital visiting hours are 2pm to 8pm with requests outside these hours at the discretion of the Senior Registered Nurse on duty.  We accept that visitors can play an integral part in a patient's health care, but please remember that the safe and timely care of patients is the primary concern. 

Medical Officers usually complete their ward rounds of inpatients by 11.00am approximately, and it would be preferable if visiting before this time is kept to a minimum, as well as at meal times. The Senior Registered Nurse may restrict the number of visitors per patient to ensure continuing patient care and maintain safety within the ward.  Visitors may be requested to leave to enable treatment to be completed. 

Please ask your visitors to respect the privacy and needs of other patients.  We ask that visiting children be supervised closely at all times.

Access to Emergency Department by visitors/support people is at the discretion of the Senior Registered Nurse, or Medical Officer.   Visitors may be requested to leave to enable treatment to be completed.

Wheelchairs

If you require a wheelchair to enter the hospital, please contact Reception, or a member of staff and they will organise one for you.

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