Once you’ve recovered from the initial phase of your surgery, you will typically continue your recovery at home. The hospital staff will keep you informed about your planned discharge time.

 

Before you leave

Before going home, the nursing team will provide you with information including your after care, follow-up care instructions, how to look after your wellbeing at home and your medications.

If you anticipate any challenges returning to your usual residence, please inform the staff. This allows us to address your concerns and create a tailored plan to support your transition.

 

Once home

Depending on your procedure, you may feel tired and sore when you get home.  Please be gentle on yourself and allow time to recover.

Follow the instructions provided for your medications, rest, and diet to support your recovery.

If you experience any unexpected changes to your condition, have concerns or other emergency, you should:

  • Telephone your surgeon immediately or
  • Seek medical advice from your general practitioner (GP) or
  • Visit your local hospital’s emergency department
  • If it is an emergency, make sure you call an ambulance on 000.

You may receive a follow up phone call from the Ramsay Surgical Centre Charlestown's nurses the day after your procedure to check your progress.

If there is anything we can do to assist, please contact us.

 

Understanding discharge planning

Discharge planning is an important part of any hospital admission. It plays an important role in facilitating a safe transition to your home or another facility.

This is achieved by making sure that appropriate clinical and community-based support services are in place if required.

 

Support for discharge planning

  • You and your family/carer: Share any concerns about your ability to manage at home.
  • Treating doctor: Identifies any special requirements for your recovery.
  • Nursing and Allied Health staff: Recommends services you may need, such as community support.
  • Care Coordinators: Provide information and assistance to support your recovery at home.

We aim to address any issues that might impact your care after discharge. Early identification of special needs helps us create tailored plans for your recovery.

 

Common concerns to discuss

If you face any of the following situations, inform your healthcare team so that the appropriate discharge plans can be made:

  • Living alone.
  • Caring for another person, such as a frail partner or young children.
  • Using community services like Meals on Wheels or nursing care before admission.
  • Needing help with daily activities like showering or dressing.

 

Feedback

We value your feedback and welcome compliments, complaints, and suggestions to help us improve our services.

Patient feedback survey
After your discharge, you will receive a Net Promoter Score (NPS) survey. Completing this survey helps us assess and enhance the care we provide to our patients and visitors.

Making a formal complaint 
If you have tried to resolve your concerns and remain unsatisfied, you can submit a formal complaint in writing to:

Kristy Acreman

General Manager/ Director of Clinical Services
Ramsay Surgical Centre Charlestown
Level 4, 99 Pacific Highway Charlestown NSW

Phone: 0407 941 452
Email: AcremanK@Ramsayhealth.com.au