Hospital FAQs

Find answers to your questions about visiting, staying, and receiving care at North Eastern Community Hospital.

Do I need a referral to be admitted to NECH?
Yes. As a community hospital, NECH admits patients under the direction of a specialist rather than directly. If you don’t already have a specialist, your GP can refer you to one of NECH’s visiting specialists, who will then arrange your admission and procedure.

Complete your Pre-Admission Form online at least two weeks before your admission, check your private health insurance cover with your insurer, and discuss your procedure, risks and recovery with your doctor. You’ll also need to follow fasting instructions – typically no food or drink for six hours before your procedure, however it is important to follow your doctor advice.

Around 5 to 15 minutes, depending on your medical history. The form adjusts based on your answers, and you can save your progress and finish it later.

Bring your Medicare card, private health fund details, any pension or concession cards, and a credit card to settle your account. Pack loose, comfortable clothing, personal toiletries, any regular medications in their original packaging, and glasses, hearing aids or mobility aids if you use them. Leave valuables at home – NECH doesn’t provide a safe or storage facilities.

Don’t wear perfume, makeup, nail polish or jewellery on the day, and remove any body piercings. Avoid smoking or drinking alcohol in the 24 hours before your surgery. Please confirm any other requirements with your doctor such as imaging or other reports necessary for your admission.

You only need enough money for your outstanding account (credit card or cash) plus a small amount for vending machine snacks or coffee. Leave other valuables at home – NECH doesn’t provide a safe or storage facilities and can’t accept responsibility for lost or damaged personal property.

Yes, bring an up-to-date list of your current medications along with the medications themselves in their original packaging, clearly labelled with your name. Webster packs and dosette boxes can’t be accepted – medication needs to be in its original packaging for staff to administer it as well as our medical and nursing staff to be aware of your current medication requirements for your admission.

Whilst NECH has shared rooms, our overnight private patients are prioritised for a private room with ensuite facilities.

Overnight patients receive complimentary WiFi, chef-prepared meals, a wall-mounted TV, a daily newspaper, and access to vending machines around the facility.

NECH’s Day Surgery Unit provides care for adults across gastroenterology, endoscopy, colonoscopy, eye surgery, plastic surgery, orthopaedics, general surgery, gynaecological services and vascular procedures.

Visiting hours are 11am to 8pm daily.

No. You can’t drive for 24 hours after your procedure, or longer if advised by your surgeon or anaesthetist. You’ll need a responsible adult to drive you home, and if you live alone after a day procedure, someone will need to stay with you overnight.

If you’ve stayed overnight, you should be ready to leave by 10am. Discharge timing after a day procedure depends on your surgery and recovery – your nurse will keep you informed.

Your nurse will return any medications, prescriptions and records brought in or generated during your stay (such as x-rays or scans), and finalise arrangements for any follow-up care or community services you need.

As NECH doesn’t receive government funding for hospital operations, Medicare doesn’t cover hospital charges but does contribute to specialist fees, which are billed separately from your hospital account. NECH accepts EFTPOS and major credit cards (not Diners or AMEX); personal cheques aren’t accepted. Call Reception on (08) 8366 8111 for our finance team to ensure you are aware of the costs specific to your procedure.