Your stay in hospital

Most patients in hospital share a room. People who are very sick usually have a single room. When they improve, they may be moved to a shared room.

Usually, there are separate 4-bed rooms for men and for women.

Tamariki (children) up to 15 years are admitted to a children's ward if the hospital has one. Parents, caregivers or whānau are encouraged to stay with their child — care from a familiar whānau member helps with their recovery. Fold-down beds or chairs are usually available for a parent or caregiver to sleep beside their child's bed.

When you are admitted to hospital, you will get an identity (ID) bracelet for your wrist. It has important information on it and staff will check it to make sure they are treating the right person.

This bracelet must stay on while you are in hospital.

Hospital staff will introduce themselves when they meet you. If you are not sure who they are, ask. The staff looking after you work as a healthcare team.

The nurse or doctor will describe what tests, treatments or procedures you will be having and ask for your consent (agreement) before they are carried out. If you are unclear about anything, ask them to explain again.

If English is not your first language or you have hearing loss, ask for an interpreter. Some immediate needs, wants or concerns may be covered by communication cards. (external link)

Patient communication cards (12 languages) — Health NZ (external link)

If you have brought documents that outline your wishes and how you want us to care for you, let us know, for example:

• Enduring power of attorney (EPA) for personal care and welfare
• Advance care plan or advance directives
• Any acute plans or personalised care plans you may have with your healthcare team
• Health passport.

Everyone using a health or disability service has the protection of a Code of Rights. | Kei ngā tāngata katoa te haumarutanga o te Tikanga Mōtika me ka mahi te ratonga hauora, hauātanga rānei.

• Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) — New Zealand Government (external link)
• Advance Care Planning — Health NZ / New Zealand Government (external link)
• Health Passport — Health and Disability Commissioner (external link)
• Code of health and disability services consumers’ rights — Health and Disability Commissioner  (external link)

Doctors (tākuta)

Your care may be provided at different times by different doctors, such as a resident medical officer (house surgeon or registrar).

• A house surgeon or house officer is a doctor who is yet to specialise.
• A registrar is a doctor who is experienced and is training in a specialty.

At times, your care may also involve a consultant or specialist medical officer — a senior doctor or surgeon who has specialised.

Nurses (tapuhi)

During your stay, you will be cared for by registered nurses (tapuhi whai rēhitatanga) and healthcare assistants (tiaki hauora kaiāwhina). Healthcare assistants’ work is supervised by the registered nurses.

Nurses work shifts so you will probably be cared for by different nurses during your hospital stay. Sometimes you will have the same nurse care for you while they are working. However, they may be assigned to care for other patients. 

Students

Hospitals may provide education and training for student doctors, nurses and other health professionals. Nursing students working alongside a registered nurse may care for you during your stay.

Students will always identify themselves and ask your permission before discussing your care or examining you.

Students are supervised by qualified staff at all times. If you do not want them to help with your care, just say so.

Staff identification

All hospital staff wear a photo identification (ID) badge. You can ask for ID from any person who you do not already know. If they cannot provide ID, tell a staff member immediately. 

Ward rounds are when the senior doctor looking after you visits you in your ward or room. It is your chance to discuss your medical care.

As well as the senior doctor there may be other junior doctors, a nursing coordinator, your nurse and other support service staff, if required. They will:

• explain what is happening
• assess your symptoms
• listen to your concerns
• discuss any tests you will need
• discuss the results of tests you have had
• talk about your medical problem — your diagnosis
• discuss your goals and the treatment options
• agree a treatment plan with you
• prepare discharge planning — leaving hospital — including the likely day for this
• discuss what support you have in the hospital and when you have been discharged
• discuss how to manage your symptoms, including pain and breathlessness
• discuss your medicines
• recommend positive lifestyle changes, if necessary
• answer any questions you may have.

This is a good time for you to ask questions. It helps if you can write them down in advance — it is easy to forget something. Having a close whānau member or support person with you is a good idea, in case you miss something that is said.

Your meals are provided. A standard meal will be sent to you until you are able to choose. Then you will be given meal choices for later that day or the next day. Fill in the menu to record your choices.

If you need help at meal times, ask the ward staff.

Special meals can be provided — ask your nurse about them, for example meals for:

• people with diabetes
• vegetarian diets
• vegan diets
• dairy-free diets
• gluten-free diets.

Times for breakfast, lunch and dinner will depend on which ward you are on.

You are encouraged to get up and dressed during your stay in hospital, unless this is advised against.

Getting out of bed, dressed in your own clothes and walking helps you feel stronger, recover more quickly and be less likely to fall. It helps you maintain fitness and can sometimes shorten the time spent in hospital.

Friends and whānau can help loved ones feel better, more independent and mobile by bringing in a change of clothes and encouraging them to get up, get dressed and, with support, get back to walking. 

If you plan to leave the ward for a walk it is really helpful to tell the nurse or ward clerk first. They will check you do not miss anything important, such as a visit from your doctor, a test or a procedure like an x-ray. 

You can get help during your hospital stay, including:

• interpreters, if English is not your first language or you need to use sign language — let us know quickly because it can take time to arrange one
• a chaplain, for spiritual needs — some hospitals may have a chapel for reflection and quiet retreat
• social workers, to help with family and personal problems, provide information, counselling and liaison services, or speak up on your behalf
• quit smoking support — staff can help you with nicotine replacement therapy and efforts to quit smoking and vaping
• Māori and Pacific support — the hospital may have units that provide patient and whānau support
• kaitiaki, if you have someone who is an important part of your hauora (health and wellbeing).

Ask ward staff about assistance as soon as you can.

Visiting hours might vary between hospitals and wards. Standard visiting hours are around 11am to 1:30pm and 4pm to 8pm daily. This allows you to have visitors but also to rest and recover. Check the exact times for your ward.

If you have visitors who can only come at other times, tell your nurse.

If you do not want to be disturbed by visitors, let your nurse know.

If your visitors have to travel a long way to see you, there may be some available hospital accommodation for whānau. This varies between hospitals and it may be booked out.

Key support person

You or your whānau can choose a key support person for emotional and practical support. This person may be able to stay with you for longer than normal visiting hours. This is important when the patient is a tamaiti (child).

Your key support person can:

• take part in medical conversations and family meetings
• help with clinical handovers
• help with your essential care (if the staff agree)
• support you with decision making
• help make sure your care continues when you go home.

Kaitiaki

Kaitiaki — anyone who provides essential care needs to a patient as part of their health experience — are valued by hospital staff. Kaitiaki provide support and are important to your wellness and recovery.

Some hospitals have a kaitiaki team offering cultural support for Māori and their whānau in hospital. You may also find there are cultural support services for mental health and addictions from our kaitakawaenga teams.

Guide for visitors

Visitors are welcome and are an important part of your recovery and wellbeing.

Visitors should:

• bring only small amounts of fruit, food or cold drinks — check with staff for any restrictions
• follow hospital guidance on hand hygiene and face masks
• be considerate of other patients
• respect our staff.

Visitors should not:

• smoke or vape — all hospitals and grounds are Smokefree
• take photos, videos or audio recordings of staff
• post photos or information about any patient's condition on social media unless you have their permission — think before you upload as images shared cannot be taken back.