Preparing for Surgery

Due to the construction of the Melbourne Metro Rail, Grattan St (between Royal Parade and Leicester St Parkville) is closed to all traffic. Your travel to and from the Women’s may be affected so please allow extra time for your journey.

We want your surgery to go as smoothly as possible, and it’s important that you are prepared. Please read the information below. If you have any questions, please contact us. 

Booking Office: (03) 8345 3335
Day Surgery Unit: (03) 8345 3300
Ambulatory Gynae Service: (03) 8345 2195

Click to show information about fasting for:

• patients who will have a local anaesthetic
   

  There is no need to fast on the day of your procedure.

  If you develop a cough or fever in the week before your surgery please contact the elective surgery bookings office on 8345 3335 as soon as possible.

   

• patients who will have a general anaesthetic
   

  Please call us the day before to confirm your fasting instructions.

If you are unsure whether you having a local anaesthetic or a general anaesthetic, call us on
(03) 8345 3335.

I am coming to:

• Day Surgery Unit (DSU)
   

  You will be admitted at the Day Surgery Unit (DSU).

  Take a lift to the 3rd floor, turn left, then turn right and go to the Day Surgery Unit (DSU). Let reception staff know that you have arrived.

   

• Ward 5 North (5 North)
   

  You will be admitted at the Emergency Centre.

  The Emergency Centre is on the lower ground floor. Use the door near the emergency entrance or enter from the central atrium

   

• Ambulatory Gynae Service (AGS)
   

  You will be admitted at the Ambulatory Gynae Centre.

  Take the lift to the 5th floor, turn right then left. Let reception staff at the Ambulatory Gynae Centre know that you have arrived.

If you are unsure, call us on
(03) 8345 3335.

I am coming to:

• Day Surgery Unit (DSU)
   

  For up-to-date admission time and fasting information, please call (03) 8345 3300 between 10.30 am and 12 noon.

   

  Monday to Friday

  If your procedure is on Monday, you will need to call on the Friday before for your instructions. The unit is not open on the weekends.

  Your admission time is not the same as your procedure time. We can only tell you if your surgery is in the morning or afternoon.

  Stop smoking at least 12 hours before your procedure.

  Please let staff know if you need an interpreter so this can arranged.

   

• Ward 5 North (5 North)
   

  For up-to-date admission time and fasting information, please call (03) 8345 3300 between 10.30 am and 12 noon.

   

  Monday to Friday

  If your procedure is on Monday, you will need to call on the Friday before for your instructions. The unit is not open on the weekends.

  Your admission time is not the same as your procedure time. We can only tell you if your surgery is in the morning or afternoon.

  Stop smoking at least 12 hours before your procedure.

  Please let staff know if you need an interpreter so this can arranged.

   

• Ambulatory Gynae Service (AGS) patients
   

  For up-to-date admission time and fasting information, please call (03) 8345 2195 between 10.30 am and 12 noon.

   

  Monday to Friday

  If your procedure is on Monday, you will need to call on the Friday before for your instructions. The unit is not open on the weekends.

  Your admission time is not the same as your procedure time. We can only tell you if your surgery is in the morning or afternoon.

  Stop smoking at least 12 hours before your procedure.

  Please let staff know if you need an interpreter so this can arranged.

   

What bring

• Medications and documents you might need
   

  • Current medications in original boxes. This includes non-prescription medication such as herbal medicines and vitamins.
  • Personal items such as dentures, hearing aids, eye glasses, and walking aids.
  • Any pathology results, scans, or X-rays needed for your procedure.
  • Medicare card.
  • Pension, Healthcare and/or Veteran affairs card(s).
  • Safety net pharmaceutical card
  • Copy of Medical Power of Attorney / Advance Care Directive
  • TAC or Workcover documents
  • Private health insurance card
  • Freshly cleaned CPAP machine

   

• If you are staying overnight - what to put in your overnight bag
   

  • Toiletries
  • Nightwear and slippers

   

  No large suitcases!

   

• Optional
   

  • mobile phone
  • laptop computer
  • iPads
  • chargers for your electronic devices

   

We recommend leaving valuables at home. We provide a safe and secure environment but you remain responsible for your belongings. Please don't bring in large sums of money!

What to expect when you come in for your procedure

• The main things that will happen
   

  When you arrive you will be admitted by a clerical team member.

  Your nurse will see you after you have been admitted and will prepare you for surgery.

  You will see an anaesthetist and a doctor for review.

  Depending on the last day of your period, you may need a pregnancy test when you arrive for your procedure. If you have your period your procedure will still go ahead.

  You will walk to procedure room.

  After the procedure you will rest in the recovery area on a trolley and nursing staff will look after you during this time.

  If you are having day surgery, you will get dressed and be seated in a comfortable recliner chair. You will be offered some light refreshments.

  If you are staying the night, the ward nurse will collect you from recovery and escort you to the ward.

  Your support person, friend or relatives are welcome to stay at the hospital during your stay. However visitors are not permitted into the admission and recovery areas.

  Please note there is limited space in the waiting room. Your support person may choose to spend time in the retail precinct on the ground floor.

Getting yourself ready

• What you need to do
   

  Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.

  Please have a shower on the morning of your admission.

  If you have your period, surgery can still proceed.

  Before your procedure you will need to remove:

  • All jewellery, rings and piercings
  • Nail polish.
  • Make up
  • Contact lenses

   

  There will be a wait before your procedure so bring a mobile phone or book.

Getting to the Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville

The hospital is located on the corner of Grattan Street and Flemington Road, Parkville.

On-site parking is available at a your own cost.

Public transport is nearby. Use Tram line(s) 19, 58, 59 or Bus routes 401, 402, or 505. 

Click to show information for:

• patients who will have a general anaesthetic
   

  You cannot drive after having a general anaesthetic. Please ask a relative or friend to take you home, and make sure you have someone to stay with you overnight.

  For patients staying overnight, discharge time is normally 10am. Please have someone ready to pick you up before this time.

  Any medications can be collected from the Royal Women's Hospital Pharmacy, which is on the 1st Floor. All medications must be paid for.

  If you are having day surgery, you will need to be collected from the day surgery unit on the 3rd floor.

  If you are staying overnight you will need to be collected from the ward.

Information only for:

• patients who will have a local anaesthetic and AGS patients
   

  You can expect to leave the hospital about an hour after your procedure. You do not need an escort home and you can walk/drive/take public transport as normal.

   

At home

Follow post-operative instructions on the sheet that we will give you.

You may need to return for a follow up appointment. We will send you a letter by post if you need a follow up appointment.