Our Wards

Emergency Department

Accordion Content

Operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week providing care for the acutely ill and injured.

It is located on Scenic Drive, Nowra, beside the main hospital entrance. There is a drop off area outside the Department.

Afterhours access to the Department can be gained by using the intercom.

The Emergency Department is not designed to provide ongoing care, and may therefore transfer patients to the appropriate ward for admission, or in some cases to another hospital for specialist care.

The Emergency Department reviews its activities regularly as a part of Illawarra and Shoalhaven Local Health District’s commitment to providing quality care and in keeping with recognised healthcare standards, practices and ethics.

Is it an Emergency?

It is common for people faced with an injury or illness to wonder if their condition really is an emergency or not.

An emergency can be described as an acute or serious illness or injury that may lead to severe complications if not treated quickly.

Patients requiring urgent attention will always be seen first.

Treatment in the Emergency Department is based on clinical need, and not when you arrive, your financial situation, or whether you have health insurance.

What if it isn't an Emergency?

If your illness or injury is not urgent you may need to wait some time to see a Doctor.

Alternatively, you may seek treatment for non-urgent illness or injury through your General Practitioner (GP), or an afterhours GP service.

Non-emergency conditions are best treated by a General Practitioner because:

  • You usually won’t have to wait long to be seen
  • It frees up Emergency Departments to treat genuine emergency cases
  • General Practitioners who you visit regularly will become familiar with your medical history over time

GPs can:

  • Generally treat you for non-urgent illnesses and injuries more quickly than a hospital Emergency Department
  • Prescribe medications
  • Refer you to other health practitioners for x-rays and blood tests
  • Make referrals to specialists
  • Organise admission to hospital if required

Many General Practitioners work together in group practices or through medical centres which provide extended hours of service.

What should I bring?

  • A list of all your medications and doses. If you don't have time to make a list simply bring your medications with you
  • The name and phone number of your regular GP or medical centre
  • Your Medicare card (or passport, if you are not an Australian citizen)

What will happen when I'm brought into the Emergency Department?

Once inside the Emergency Department you will be cared for by nursing staff and Medical Officers. The Emergency Team includes a Nurse Practitioner, Advanced Clinical Nurses, Specialist Nurse Consultants in Aged Care and Mental Health, Registered Nurses, Enrolled Nurses and Medical Officers. Non clinical support is provided by Support Officers and Clerical Staff.

It is important to realise that you may experience further waiting time if you need to have an x-ray or other tests, or if a specialist needs to see you.

Once you have been assessed and treated, your clinicians will decide if you should be admitted to the hospital for further treatment or if you can return home.

If the Medical Officer refers you to a specialist hospital team for review or admission, there may be a further delay before a registrar can see you. Care will then be planned for you either in hospital or in the community. Many treatments can now be undertaken at home or through outpatient facilities. If you don’t need to be admitted you will be sent home and other arrangements will be made for your care if necessary. Ongoing treatment at home may be arranged with the support of the hospital or community-based teams and in conjunction with your regular GP.

Triage

When you arrive you should first be seen by the Triage Nurse, who will assess your injuries or illness and allocate a priority according to how urgently you require treatment. A brief overview or questioning may take place before you are taken into the triage room for observations. This system ensures that the sickest patients are treated by doctors first. The triage system exists in all public hospitals throughout Australia and uses a uniform set of criteria to categorise patients for treatment.

If your condition gets worse you should tell the Triage Nurse immediately.

Where appropriate, and under set protocols, a nurse may start treatment on your arrival. These nurses are Advanced Clinical Nurses. Examples of care they may start include ordering of x-rays, blood tests or pain relief.

If the Triage Nurse is busy assessing another patient you may be asked to register with the clerical staff first.

What happens next?

After being seen by the Triage Nurse you should go to the reception desk where the Clerical Officer will register your name on the department’s computer system and create a unique computer file for your records. They will:

  • Ask for your Medicare card (or your passport, if you are not a citizen of Australia)
  • Note your contact details
  • Note contact details for your regular GP or medical centre
  • Record contact details for your work if it is a work-related illness or injury covered by workers compensation insurance
  • Obtain any previous Medical Record and create a file

Clerical staff are responsible for registering essential information regarding your identity. They also deal with issues relating to any charges you may incur as a result of your visit. Care is delivered to all patients regardless of culture, beliefs, sexual orientation or disability issues. Your privacy will be respected at all times.

What happens if I decide not to wait?

All patients who present have the right to see a Medical Officer, but sometimes due to the priority of care there may be long delays.

If you decide you do not wish to wait to be seen by a Medical Officer, it is important that you see the Triage Nurse prior to leaving.

Younger patients in the Emergency Department

Children and adolescents under 14 years of age will ideally be managed in the paediatric bay in the department. This four bed area is a more comfortable, family friendly environment for children. The department also has colouring books and activities to help during waiting periods.

Children's Ward

Accordion Content

Children's Ward is a 12 bed inpatient unit offering inpatient care for infants, children and adolescents. Predominantly our -patients are from the Shoalhaven area.

Family centred care and supervision is provided by a team of experienced nurses, medical and allied health staff.

A stay in hospital for children can at times be lengthy and traumatic, therefore we encourage one parent to remain with the child. In order to make the stay in hospital a little more pleasant the children are offered a range of games, books, Nintendo machines, TV and videos.

Intensive Care Unit

Accordion Content

The Intensive Care Unit, Coronary Care and High Dependency Unit are all part of Critical Care Services.

Ward Layout

The Intensive Care Unit is a nine bed unit. It has three ventilated beds and the remaining six beds are a mix of high dependency and coronary care beds.

The unit has a visitors' room with tea and coffee making facilities. An interview room is available to ensure privacy for discussions with medical and nursing staff.

Meals and Drinks

Meals and drinks are provided throughout the day according to the patient's individual requirements.

Personal Belongings

Due to limited space, patients are unable to keep large amounts of property with them. They will need toiletries only. Money, valuables and all clothing should be left at home.

Visiting Hours

There are no rigid visiting hours, however we do have a rest period for our patients between 2:00pm and 4:00pm.

Visiting can be restricted at times because of limited space around the bedside, transporting patients for tests, and carrying out life-saving procedures for the patient.

Hand Washing

Intensive care patients are vulnerable to infections so it is important that you wash your hands prior to seeing the patient and again prior to leaving the Unit.

Maternity Ward

Accordion Content

The Shoalhaven Hospital has first class facilities and highly skilled staff including Obstetricians, Paediatricians and Midwives.

The maternity ward has a special care nursery for babies who need specialised attention.

Women are provided with assistance with the care and feeding of their baby.

Rest is essential for new mothers if they are to be well prepared for parenting. With this in mind we respectfully request that visitors keep to visiting hours unless special circumstances apply.

Philosophy of Delivery Area

The midwifery staff's philosophy in the birthing area is based upon the belief that a woman has the right to choose her own method of labour and birth providing safety of both mother and baby is ensured. We believe in a family centred environment where mother, partner and/or additional support person attend labour under the guidance and care of skilled midwifery staff.

We encourage active birth and provide showers and baths, bean bags, exercise ball, floor mats and birthing stool if you choose to use them. If you have special requests regarding your labour and birth, feel free to discuss them with the midwifery staff or your doctor.

Visiting Hours

11:00am to 12:00pm
3:30pm to 8:00pm

How to Find Us

Please use the main entrance on Scenic Drive and follow signs to the Maternity Unit, which is situated on Level 2 between Surgical and the Children's Ward.

After hours (8:00pm to 6:00am) entrance to the Maternity Unit is via the Emergency Department.

Admission for Labour and Birth

When the time has arrived for you to come to hospital, please ring the birthing area on (02) 4421 3834 before coming to the hospital. It is advisable to keep this number handy at all times. You can also ring the birthing area if you are unsure whether to come in or not.

When you arrive at hospital please come to the Maternity Ward reception desk. Remember to bring your antenatal form from your doctor, any ultrasounds, Medicare card and private health insurance details if applicable.

In line with contemporary birthing practices, your care during labour and in the postnatal period will be undertaken by Midwives unless indicated otherwise.

Partners are encouraged to be present while you are in labour. Another support person may be present in the birthing room if you wish. If you would like your child/children to be present at the birth please discuss this with the Midwife first. If your child/children are present, a caretaker person other than your partner must be in attendance to care for them and provide for their needs.

While their partners are in labour, fathers are welcome to make tea or coffee for themselves. You may like to bring a camera or video camera into the birth area or theatre to capture the birth. The birthing area has a CD player if you wish to bring your favourite music along. Bean bags, exercise ball and birthing mat are available for your use.

You may eat and drink as you wish in early labour. Heavy meals are not advisable, however it is important to have a good fluid intake. As labour progresses and you feel less like eating, sucking barley sugar, boiled sweets or sipping lemonade will help keep your energy up.

Booking In

Bookings are done through the Antenatal Clinic Midwife located at 53 Osborne Street, Nowra, (02) 4421 0403.

An appointment is required, and will last around 90 minutes. An obstetric history will be taken at this time, so it would be appreciated if the antenatal form from the doctor, any ultrasounds, and Medical/private health insurance details could be brought to the interview.

Please try to arrive about 10 minutes before your appointment time, to see the Antenatal Clinic Clerk.

Preparation for Childbirth and Parenting Classes

Antenatal classes are offered. These cover care in pregnancy, labour, birthing, and parenting. You will need to confirm your booking for these classes, and a small fee will be charged.

Partners and support people are encouraged to attend, and we ask that you wear casual clothes for the classes.

Young Mothers Group

Specifically aimed at young mums-to-be, these classes are ongoing during pregnancy. They cover care in pregnancy, labour, birth and parenting. Other issues particularly relevant to young women are also covered.

The group meets at the Antenatal Clinic, 53 Osborne Street, Nowra, (02) 4421 0403.

Antenatal Clinics

Accordion Content

Midwives Clinic and Doctors Clinics are also run from 53 Osborne Street Nowra.

For further information please contact:

Antenatal Clinic
53 Osborne Street
Nowra NSW 2541

(02) 4421 0403

Medical Ward North

Accordion Content

Medical Ward A

Philosophy of Care

Our aim is to provide a high standard of medical and nursing care in a comfortable and friendly environment, in which patients and their family members are encouraged to contribute to planning their care.

The patient should retain his or her individuality and should be cared for physically, socially, psychologically, spiritually and culturally, whilst maintaining dignity, privacy and confidentiality.

Care will be planned and undertaken jointly by doctors, nurses, the multidisciplinary team, and family where appropriate.

Our staff, through their wide range of experience, professional development and clinical supervision, strive to provide a high standard of care, acting at all times as the patient's advocate.

The Ward Environment

Medical Ward A is a 42 bed General Medical ward. Within the ward there are four monitored low acuity cardiac beds.

The patient population includes those with a wide variety of medical conditions, including cardiac, respiratory, endocrine, gastroenterology and infectious conditions. The majority of patients are older adults.

Care is provided by a multidisciplinary team. We have an experienced nursing staff, with Registered and Enrolled nurses providing routine care, assisted by Assistants in Nursing. The patient's stay in the ward is monitored by a Clinical Nurse Specialist who ensures that their investigations occur in a timely manner, and that planning for a safe and timely discharge is communicated across the team.

Medical care is provided by specialist Physicians and General Practitioners, who work in conjunction with a team of Residents and Registrars.

We are a teaching hospital for Medical, Nursing and Allied Health students of all grades. We aim to facilitate their learning through observation, participation and practice. Students are supervised at all times.

A full range of Allied Health staff work on the ward, providing care as needs are identified by medical and nursing staff. Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech Pathology, Dietetic and Social Work services are all available.

All staff involved in patient care meet regularly to review patient care goals and identify particular needs post discharge.

Referral to other services can be arranged on a needs basis. These include Palliative Care, Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol, Discharge Planning, Diabetes Education, Cardiac Rehabilitation and Acute Pain services.

Medical Ward B

Medical Ward B is a combined medical ward providing care for patients after the acute phase of their illness has resolved.

The ward is located just off the main hospital building.

The patient population includes those with a wide variety of medical conditions, including cardiac, respiratory, endocrine, gastroenterology and infectious conditions. The majority of patients are older adults.

Care is provided by a multidisciplinary team. We have an experienced Nursing staff, with Registered and Enrolled nurses providing routine care, assisted by Assistants in Nursing.

Medical care is provided by specialist Physicians and General Practitioners, who work in conjunction with a team of Residents and Registrars.

We are a teaching hospital for Medical, Nursing and Allied Health students of all grades. We aim to facilitate their learning through observation, participation and practice. Students are supervised at all times.

A full range of Allied Health staff work on the ward, providing care as needs are identified by medical and nursing staff. Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech Pathology, Dietetic and Social Work services are all available.

All staff involved in patient care meet regularly to review patient care goals and identify particular needs post discharge.

Referral to other services can be arranged on a needs basis. These include Palliative Care, Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol, Discharge Planning, Diabetes Education, Cardiac Rehabilitation and Acute Pain services.

Rehabilitation Ward

Accordion Content

The team provides assessment and rehabilitation programs, usually following on directly from an acute hospital admission. However your local doctor may request admission to the ward directly from home, for example if you require an intensive rehabilitation program to improve your functional levels.

Our staff will endeavour to keep your family involved with your therapy, progress and likely outcomes of your treatment. Once discharged from the ward, your treatment may continue through referral to outpatient or community services.

A team of professionals will be involved in your care during your stay. This team may include: Doctors, Nurses, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Speech Pathologist, Dietitian, Social Worker and/or Psychologist. Your treating team will be determined upon your admission to ensure you receive the most appropriate care to meet your needs.

Our aim is to help you reach the stage where you can live safely at home, with or without assistance, or to assist you in determining an alternative living environment. Throughout your stay our staff are here to help and support you and your family in achieving your goals.

Surgical Ward

Accordion Content

Patients may be admitted to the Surgical Ward either from a waiting list or from the Emergency Department.

The staff includes Doctors, Nurses, Clerical and Cleaners. The care plan for a surgical patient is developed and carried out with multi-professional co-operation, and staff strive continually to achieve the best outcomes for their patients.

The nursing staff generally work eight hour rotating shifts, which means that the same nurses take care of you for a long period. Doctors will attend to you when you need them, however they will be required in other units also, so you won't see them on the ward all the time.

The values that guide our work are equality, autonomy and respect for human rights. All staff try to put all these values into practice in our work. The nursing care is based on an individual care plan which aims to motivate patients to become involved in their own self-care.

Staff members are always available to discuss any issues which may be of concern to you.