Your stay

Attending any mental health facility can cause some nervousness. Our role is to ensure that patients are comfortable, safe and supported. Helping people recover from mental illness is at the heart of what we do.

Our admission coordinators are experienced mental health clinicians. They are happy to discuss any particular needs and can advise what treatment options are available.

Ramsay Clinic Berkeley Vale is a voluntary facility. This means it is necessary for admission staff to speak to each patient prior to being admitted into one of our clinics as certain exclusion criteria may apply.

They will also be able to check health insurance and advise of any out of pocket expenses. If a patient does not have health insurance, they will be able to advise the cost of treatment. All admissions must be supported by a referral from the patient’s GP or psychiatrist.

Once you have been given a date for admission, it is also important to read the Privacy Policy

Admission to our specialist unit is always on a voluntary basis, with patients understanding and accepting the need to actively participate in their own recovery process.

An EasyAccess admission service – 1300 856 163 – is staffed by experienced clinicians who speak to every patient prior to their admission. They will ask for a brief history and go through a checklist of items, including what to bring, before providing an assessment of how we can best serve your needs.

On admission, you will be greeted by a member of our admissions team who will accompany you to your unit and introduce you to the clinical staff. Our admissions team is also available to assist you with any queries you may have during your stay with us. Our staff are committed to continually improving all aspects our our care and service for patients and we value your feedback.

What to expect on arrival

Our aim is to make you feel as comfortable as we can. We want you to feel at home and relaxed during your stay.

You will be greeted by our friendly reception staff on arrival. They will assist in completing any remaining paperwork.

At reception, you will be welcomed by a member of their nursing team. The nurse will join you in a walk around the clinic, ensuring that you are able to find your way around easily. Once you are comfortable and settled in your room, the nursing team will take you through a series of formalities designed to find out your recovery intentions and goals for your stay.

Telephones

There is a telephone by the bed in each room, which can be used to make and receive free local calls. Please note that STD calls are subject to peak rates, and not residential discounted rates. You will be charged for any long distance or mobile calls on discharge.

Local calls: Lift the receiver & dial ‘0’ & then the number.

Valuables

The clinic cannot take any responsibility for valuable items. We advise leaving things like jewellery, cash and expensive appliances at home. Should leaving cash at home not be possible, it may be left at Reception for safekeeping. It should be noted that access to the safe is only available during office hours. Please see Unit staff if this service is required.

Leave During the Day

It is critical that clinic staff know where you are at all times. It is therefore requested that each time you leave the clinic you fill in the leave book and paperwork.

When you are granted leave during the day, you may go on leave outside group time and by arrangement. You are to return to the clinic by 8.00pm.

Night Time

We ask that you retire to bed by 10.00pm to 10.30pm. This is for your benefit and out of respect to other residents. Please speak to the clinic staff if you are unable to sleep at this time.
The clinic is secured and alarmed and reopened at 7.00am.

Pharmacy

Medication prescribed for conditions other than psychiatric conditions (such as physical conditions) will be your financial responsibility during your stay at the clinic. All outstanding pharmacy accounts will be sent to you on discharge. These should be presented to your Health Fund as some of your medications may be covered. If you have a Pharmaceutical Benefits Card, please inform staff on admission and they will ensure this information is given to the Pharmacy.

Electrical Items

On admission and during your stay, we ask that you present any personal electrical items to be checked. If there are any concerns, the hospital's maintenance officer will be asked to examine them.

Laundry Facilities

A washing machine and a dryer is available for use in the laundry. Washing powder is free of charge and patients may use the laundry at any time during daytime hours.

Your feedback

We welcome your feedback and any suggestions on how we can improve our services. You may also be asked to participate initiatives aimed at improving the quality of our service. These can include focus groups and patient satisfaction surveys.

Your privacy

All facilities owned by Ramsay Health Care comply with the Commonwealth Privacy Act and all other State Legislative requirements in relation to the management of personal information. We safeguard your personal health information ensuring that confidentiality is respected and information is stored securely. Our Privacy Policy and Consent Form relating to collection and use of health information by the Ramsay Clinic Berkeley Vale will be provided on admission.

Official Visitors

Official Visitors are appointed by the Minister for Health. They visit Ramsay Clinic Berkeley Vale on a monthly basis. They talk to patients, inspect records and registers, report on the standards of facilities and services, liaise with staff about issues or concerns and report any problems to the Principal Official Visitor and/or the Minister for Health. If you do not see the Official Visitors during your stay and you wish to speak to them a letter can be left in the Official Visitor’s Box on the Ward.

Drugs and Alcohol

No illicit drugs or alcohol may be consumed at any time while you are a patient in Ramsay Clinic Berkeley Vale. Violation of this policy may result in discharge.

Cameras

Please do not bring a camera into the clinic. Photographs within the Clinic may compromise other patient’s confidentiality.

Confidentiality

Please respect the privacy of all other patients at Ramsay Clinic Berkeley Vale and encourage your visitors to do the same. Do not disclose the identity of a patient, or the nature of a patient’s illness, outside of the clinic.

Smoking

Berkeley Vale Private Hospital is a non-smoking facility. A smoking area has been provided outside the clinic.

Patients and visitors who choose to smoke must do so in the designated area only, at their own risk.

Smoking outside the clinic is not permitted between 10:00pm and 7:00am. Quit smoking support is available by speaking to the nursing staff or your doctor.

Patients who smoke within the confines of the building or outside the designated smoking area may be discharged from Berkeley Vale Private Hospital.

Motor Vehicle Policy

The clinic holds the safety of all our patients and visitors in the highest regard. For this reason, patients are not allowed to drive for the duration of their stay in the clinic. Should you arrive with a motor vehicle, we ask that you make arrangements for the vehicle to be taken home as soon as possible.

Shoes

For safety reasons, shoes must be worn at all times in the clinic.

Energy Drinks

Caffeine is a psychoactive drug, meaning it alters mood, thinking and/or behaviour. Caffeine is also a stimulant drug. Stimulants increase the body’s state of arousal by speeding up the production of nerve impulses, which increases the activity of the brain. It can interfere with prescription medication.

The effects of caffeine in large doses (i.e. more than 600mg or eight average cups of coffee) include headache, hand tremors, impaired coordination, nervousness, diarrhoea and even delirium.

At Ramsay Clinic Berkeley Vale we strongly discourage the use of energy drinks due to their high content of caffeine.