Where is NHW?

Northeast Health Wangaratta’s main entrance is located in Green Street, Wangaratta.

Please refer to Contact page for further detail.

Parking and public transport

Limited car parking is available in surrounding streets and a staff/visitors car park is located in Docker Street, opposite the Thomas Hogan Centre. Short term parking for the drop off/collection of patients is available at the front of the hospital. Disabled car parking spaces are also available in this area- stickers must be displayed.

NHW is well serviced by buses, with a bus stop at the front of the hospital in Green Street. The train station is only a short walk away. All route information and timetables are available from the main desk in the front foyer, ground floor. Taxis can by accessed by calling 131 008 for the cost of a local call.

Cafe

A Cafe is located on the ground floor, off the main corridor. Light meals, snacks and drink area available along with newspapers, magazines and limited gift items.

The cafe is open:
Monday – Friday: 8.00am-4.00pm
Saturday-Sunday: 9.00am-4.00pm

Automatic Teller Machine (ATM)

For the convenience of staff, patients and visitors an ATM is located in the hospital’s front foyer.

Smoking

NHW is a smoke free zone and workplace. For support to quit smoking please call the NHW Smoking Cessation Clinic on (03) 5722 5279.

Patient Rights and Responsibilities

As a patient/client of NHW you have the right to:

Receive a prompt response in emergencies
Care from appropriately qualified health professionals
Expect a safe and secure environment
Be treated with respect, consideration and dignity
Confidentiality regarding all personal and medical details
Give your informed consent to, or refuse any treatment
Timely and understandable information about your condition
Access to an interpreter if necessary
Express your dissatisfaction or satisfaction with our service
Be actively involved in your care and treatment

As a patient/client of NHW we ask that you:

Are courteous and considerate to other patients and to treating staff
Provide, to the best of your knowledge, accurate information about your current and previous medical problems, medications, visits to hospital, insurance status, allergies and other matters relating to your state of health in order to help our staff care for you
Inform staff if consent for treatment is withheld or withdrawn
Seek clarification if you do not understand any information or instructions given to you
To be actively involved in your care and treatment
Discuss any worries/ concerns with a relevant member of staff.
Comply with health advice and medical instructions
Respect hospital policies
Pay account promptly

Privacy and confidentiality

Any patient attending NHW for any reason has the right to privacy under the Health Services Act 1988 (as amended 2001) and the Health Records Act 2001. A brochure is available to patients and visitors to the hospital called ‘What happens to information about me?’ outlining what is done with the data and notes collected during your admission to hospital.

You will be asked to consent to information about your stay being sent to your local doctor. If you wish to change this at any time during your stay or afterwards then please contact the Privacy Officer on (03) 5722 5281. For more information please refer to the brochure below.

What happens to information about me

Informed consent

If you have any operation or procedure performed, you will be required to sign a consent form. Before you sign a consent form it is important that you fully understand the procedure, treatment or operation. If you are not sure about any aspect of the procedure, please ask for another explanation before you sign the form. Proposed surgery or treatments cannot proceed unless consent is given.

Infection Prevention and Control

Northeast Health Wangaratta has strict precautions in place to help prevent the spread of infections or disease by patients, visitors and staff. Our policies ensure that all our equipment is maintained according to Australian Standards and Guidelines.

Hand washing, high standards of house keeping, the use of sterile techniques and equipment are part of the efforts our staff make to ensure your speedy recovery and to reduce the risk of infection. Healthcare workers, whilst caring for patients, may wear gowns, gloves, mask and/or eye protection as part of standard precautionary measures implemented to minimise the risk of cross infection and protect the well-being of both patients and healthcare workers.

Everyone can help break the chain of infection by taking a few basic precautions.
Wash your Hands:

After personal hygiene. Eg; using the toilet
Before and after eating
Before and after touching your operation wound area or any dressing you may have
After using tissues when coughing or sneezing
After touching body fluids or waste
When leaving your room
Please inform nursing staff if you have any concerns regarding the cleanliness of the ward or bathrooms.

Download consumer factsheets with information on healthcare associated infections;

Occupational Health and Safety

NHW is committed to providing a safe workplace for its staff. There is zero tolerance towards violence and aggression. People who damage property, abuse, make threats or assault our staff will be reported to police for further action.

Safe working practices also include the full use of the No-Lift program. Our staff are fully trained and undergo annual testing in the safe use of equipment and correct patient handling techniques. Wherever heavy manual handling of patients needs to occur, an appropriate lifting device will be used.

Admission Information

What to bring to hospital with you

Medicare Card/ Community Health Care Card
Health insurance details
Veterans Affairs details
Letters from your doctor
X-rays you have been asked to bring
Medicines/tablets you usually take at home- a written list is very helpful
Lists of allergies
Contact numbers for relatives/friends
Personal items (pyjamas/nightie, suitable footwear, dressing gown, personal hygiene items)

Valuables

It is policy that NHW will not be held responsible for lost valuables if they have not been placed in the hospital safe on admission. No responsibility will be taken for valuables left in your room.

Please make sure that valuables and large amounts of cash are left at home wherever possible. If you do need to bring them in to hospital for any reason, items will need to be listed on your admission form. Please ensure these items are then placed in the hospital safe. On discharge from hospital all valuables will be returned to you.

During your stay

Church Visitors

If you provide your religious details on admission and consent to visits, be aware that your name will appear on a list that is given to pastoral care workers. You may receive a visit from a member of the church. If you do not consent to visits your name will not appear on the list.

Pastoral Care

Pastoral care visitors are able to come and sit with you, or listen to your concerns and problems. You may not have faith or particular denomination, but may wish to talk to someone who comes from outside the hospital environment. You may request a visit by asking nursing staff who will arrange this for you.

The hospital chapel is located in the Spiritual Sanctuary and is available at all times for anyone wanting some quiet time.

Spiritual Sanctuary

The hospital’s oldest and original building used as a kitchen and day stay ward, affectionately known as the “Rat House” has been beautifully restored and converted as the focal point of a serene Spiritual Sanctuary precinct. The building is located in the centre of NHW’s campus to create a ‘Spiritual Sanctuary and Respite Area’ for patients, families, visitors, volunteers and staff with a chapel, family respite room, kitchenette, Pastoral Care Coordinators office and store room, welcoming foyer and display area, serene courtyard, gazebo, water feature and gardens. The Spiritual Sanctuary is accessible at all times.

Patient Information