What to bring
Bring your own regular medication with you. You can bring vitamins, herbal supplements or prescriptions from your doctor.
Bring any cards or documents that have anything to do with your health care.
These may include:
- Medicare card
- Health Care Card
- Commonwealth Senior Health Card
- Pensioner Concession Card
- Department of Veterans' Affairs White, Gold, or Orange Cards.
You should also bring things like:
- x-rays
- clothing
- anything else that might help you or the doctors during your stay.
Not all of our hospitals have televisions. Patients can use their own devices including mobile phones, iPads and tablets. Internet access isn't always reliable so we recommend patients download shows before coming to hospital.
If you're bringing your own devices, make sure you bring the the charger and check with a staff member that it's safe to use inside the hospital. We also ask patients to use headphones so they don't disturb other people.
It's also a good idea to bring your own books or other reading material.
Don't bring:
- large amounts of money or several credit cards
- jewellery or other valuables
- alcohol - alcohol isn't permitted in Queensland Health hospitals.
Arriving at hospital
If it’s an emergency, go to the emergency department and see the nurses at reception. They’ll work out how urgent your condition is.
Read more about what to expect at our emergency departments.
If you’re checking into hospital for another reason and aren’t sure where to go, ask at the reception desk at the front of the hospital.
When we admit you, we'll put an identification (ID) band on your wrist or ankle. The ID band helps us make sure you get the right medication, treatments and procedures.
Check what's written on the band to make sure we got your details right. You need to wear the ID band until you leave hospital.