CHAPTER 14 ‘Getting by’ at Hampstead
Arrangements for Banking, Shopping and Washing
How can you get money out of the bank?
You are encouraged to make arrangements with family and friends for any banking/handling cash that needs to be done.
If you do not have family or friends who can help with this, or in an emergency, a volunteer may conduct a simple banking procedure. Alternatively,
a volunteer may accompany you to the bank, in order that you might do your own banking. This can be arranged by contacting the Ward Clerk. Please note that you are responsible for the cost of transportation (e.g. taxi) to and from the bank.
If the banking matter becomes complex (E.g. no passbook, unable to sign, etc.) please approach your Social Worker for assistance.
There is an ATM available for use in block 1 opposite the kiosk
Note: Assistance in banking or shopping from the Social Worker or a volunteer requires at least 24 hours notice.
How can you get your personal shopping done?
You are encouraged to make arrangements with family or friends for any personal shopping (clothing, toiletries etc) that needs to be done.
If you do not have family or friends who can help with this, or in an emergency, a volunteer can do your personal shopping. This can be arranged by contacting the Ward Clerk. Please check goods and receipts for any transactions undertaken, to ensure accuracy.
A volunteer may be organised to accompany you to do your own shopping. In this case, you are responsible for the cost of transportation (e.g. taxi) to and from the shopping venues.
In the event that the above options are not possible, you may approach your Social Worker to enquire about alternative arrangements for shopping.
Note: There are a range of items and toiletries for sale in the Kiosk, Block I. If you require a particular item which is not available then you can make a special request for the item to be purchased elsewhere on your behalf. Advance warning is needed
for this special service offered by the Volunteers.
How can you get your washing done?
You are encouraged to do your own washing using the laundry facilities provided, or make arrangements with family or friends for laundering of personal clothing.
If you do not have family or friends who can help with this, a volunteer may assist with doing personal laundry. The volunteer may attend to such laundry usingneed washing powder for a front loading machine. This can be organized by nursing staff.
Arrangements for Handling Cash and Valuables
It is strongly recommended that you NOT bring jewellery or large amounts of money to the Spinal Injury Unit, as provisions for safe-keeping are limited. You are advised to keep jewellery or larger quantities of cash at home with family or friends.
What can you do with your ‘pocket money’?
The top drawer of the dressing table in each room is lockable. Once cash/valuables are locked away, the key becomes your responsibility and should be carried with you. It is recommended that you lock away a small
amount of pocket money/cash for day-to-day use (eg. phone cards, kiosk). You will also be given a lanyard to secure your key. The lanyard is yours to keep and can be taken with you on your discharge.
What about larger amounts of cash and items of value?
If you must bring such items with you, please ask your Social Worker to place them in Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre’s safe, located in the Finance Department in the
must be given for retrieval of the items or money from the safe. The Finance Department is open between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm on weekdays.
Note: The Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre cannot accept responsibility for the loss of any money or property which has not been deposited for safe keeping.
Ward Information
Therapy Board
This is located outside the Nurses Station and lists your therapy times. Therapy is usually scheduled in 1 hour increments, Monday to Friday, but not on Public Holidays.
Meals
Breakfast is eaten on the Ward.
Lunch and tea are eaten in the Dining Room.
If you have special dietary requirements, food allergies or food dislikes, please advise the staff on admission.
Diet monitor visits to assist with and collect the menu sheet. If patients are not available, they will leave a menu sheet to complete.
Each patient will be given an example menu sheet.
The completed menu sheet is to be placed in the basket outside of the Nurses Station.
BBQ
Available for SIU patients and family/friends only.
Please book the BBQ with the Ward Clerk.
Please clean after use.
Please supply own utensils, crockery and food.
Microwave
Located in kitchenettes at each end of the ward. Please clean after use.
Fridge
Located in kitchenettes at each end of the ward. Please label and date everything which belongs to you.
Kitchen
(Adjacent to Dining Room)
Available for SIU patient/family use. Must follow strict guidelines and the patient must be assessed by the occupational therapist before patient can use it.
Must be cleaned after use.
Kiosk
Located in Block 1. Open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am until 4:00 pm (except public holidays) and on Sundays from 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm.
Television
Free of charge and has inbuilt DVD player.
Some radio stations are tuned in to the television.
A video/DVD system is also available and you can ask a nurse or an orderly to play your video/DVD. Please note that any video/DVD played can be seen in other patients’ TVs, so be careful about the type of video/DVD.
Newspapers
Available through the kiosk.
Payment is required in advance. It is the patient’s responsibility to pay for and cancel papers.
Patients who are compensable or who have private health cover are provided The Advertiser and Sunday Mail at no cost.
Hairdresser
Available on Mondays in Block 1.
Book appointments via the Ward Clerk.
Payment is provided to the Hairdresser.
Volunteers
Available for shopping and banking, as previously noted.
Also available to escort patients (where required) to medical appointments at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, etc.
Visiting Hours
Official visiting time is 2.30pm – 8.30pm. Visitors are asked not to interrupt therapy times, unless your therapist has asked for family/friends to attend (e.g. to learn car transfers).
No visitors in the morning (before 11 am) or too late at night (after
10:00 pm) without prior consultation with the Clinical Service Coordinator.
Telephone System
Telstra Phone Away card system is used in SIU.
A card can be purchased at the kiosk (start from $5).
Patients who have private health cover or who are compensable will be given a $5 phone card on admission, if required.
Staff will not answer patient phones when patients are not in their rooms.
Electrical Equipment
If a patient has any electrical equipment, e.g. shaver, lap top, phone charger etc, it must be checked by the electrician at no cost to you. Please let Ward Clerk know on admission if you have any electrical equipment.
Fundraising
There is an active committee comprising various staff members who raise money through raffles, chocolate sales, donations, cans, etc. Money is used to purchase items which the hospital does not supply.
Inpatients Personal Property
A Guideline for Spinal Injury Unit
Effective 16 July 2001
Patients may choose to have the following items in their own rooms: Portable radio/CD/DVD player - to be used with headphones. Painting or picture to be hung from the fixed hooks in the room. Mobile phone and phone charger.
Laptop computer. Please note, it may be possible to accommodate a PC in a large room. This should be discussed with your Rehabilitation Coordinator.
Small bar fridge in larger rooms , unfortunately bar fridges cannot be accommodated in the smaller rooms along the courtyard side of ward
A silent clock to hang from the fixed hook on the wall (sound carries and the clock must not be audible at night).
Please Note:
It is expected that patients will change rooms at least once during their admission. As a general rule, patients are usually moved from a larger room to a smaller room as their rehabilitation progresses.
A free TV with inbuilt DVD is provided in each room and use of the ward video/DVD player.
All electrical equipment must be checked and tagged by the Hospital Maintenance Coordinator prior to use. Please advise ward clerk or nursing staff if you have any electrical equipment to be checked.
Care, Cleaning, Damage, Loss, Maintenance
~ A Patient’s Responsibility ~
Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre has no responsibility for any loss or damage of any personal items. Staff will not be responsible for cleaning, breakdown and maintenance of
any item.
Where any item requires additional furniture (i.e. tables, stands) this must be discussed with the ward’s Clinical Services Coordinator.
