Preparing for rehabilitation
As a State Rehabilitation Service patient, it is important you understand rehabilitation is a time-limited, goal-orientated process which requires full cooperation and active participation between you, your support people such as family, friends or carers, and treating team.
Preparing to come to rehabilitation
Please arrange to have the following items ready for when you are admitted to hospital:
- toiletries including shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, shaving needs, tissues and deodorant
- glasses, hearing aids and dentures
- a two to three-day supply of comfortable and weather appropriate clothing suitable for exercising, such as tracksuits and shorts (please mark clothes with your name)
- well fitted, comfortable and safe shoes, socks or other suitable footwear (not thongs or scuffs)
- photos and personal items – these can be attached to the coloured magnetic boards located at your bedside.
Please remember your belongings are your responsibility – the hospital is not responsible for loss, theft or breakage of any items.
Please do not bring the following items:
- potted plants or flowers as the soil poses a risk of infection
- fans
- large appliances and extension cords
- food – if you wish to bring in food it should be freshly cooked and ready to eat as there are no reheating or refrigeration facilities
- alcohol and prohibited substances.
Please note all valuables should remain at home to ensure they are not lost.
When you first arrive
Within the first few days of your arrival, a key worker chosen by your treating team will introduce themselves to you. Your key worker will help you understand and navigate the rehabilitation process and explain to you and your support people some of the things that may happen during your stay.
If you have any concerns during your stay, please see your key worker or the coordinator of the shift so that they may assist you.
Your rights and responsibilities
The Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights describes what you, or someone you care for, can expect when receiving health care from SMHS and its hospitals.
Read about your rights as a patient (external site).
Smoking, alcohol and drugs
Patients, visitors and staff are not permitted to smoke, drink alcohol and take illicit drugs anywhere on our hospital sites.
Quit smoking programs, including nicotine replacement therapy, are available for patients – your treating team will discuss options with you before or during your admission.
If you are found to be under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs, a goal setting meeting will be organised to discuss your commitment to rehabilitation and whether this is the appropriate place for you. Any visitor found drinking or taking illicit drugs will be asked to leave by hospital security.
If you have substance abuse issues and would like assistance to cease this activity, our staff can arrange access to the drug and alcohol support services below, or you can contact them yourself:
- East Perth – 9219 1919
- Fremantle – 9430 5966
- Warwick – 9246 6767
Visitors
You are welcome to have visitors during visiting times on your unit, which are between 8:00am and 8:00pm. Please let your visitors know that you may be required to attend a therapy session or a procedure during this time.
A general rehabilitation principle is that therapy is not the place for visitors, as it can be challenging and at times embarrassing for some to undertake some activities in front of other people. If support people require training or teaching, they will be invited to participate in therapy sessions.
We ask all visitors wash their hands before and after visiting and use the alcohol handrub throughout their visit.
The doors to the rehabilitation building are on a time lock and will shut promptly at 8:00pm. Visitors should leave the building prior to this time. If essential or previously arranged with ward staff, visitors can call the Helpdesk on 6152 2222 to have it opened.
Going home
In some cases, you may not need to continue receiving rehabilitation as a hospital inpatient.
If this occurs, the focus of your care will change to rehabilitation maintenance after discussion with you and your support people. There is a daily cost for this care and Health Support Services (HSS) will send you an invoice if this occurs.
When you are discharged it may be necessary for one of your support people to be available at home during the first few weeks or longer.
This may be the best time for your support people to take any leave from work and this can be discussed early in the admission with the key worker.