Repatriation General Hospital Welcome to Daw House Information Booklet
Daw House is a former private residence that first opened its doors to the public in August 1988. Daw House is the in-patient unit for Southern Adelaide Palliative Services located at the Repatriation General Hospital and is a public hospital facility. We can provide accommodation and care for 15 people staying in single or twin rooms. Patients, visiting families and friends are encouraged to make full use of all facilities in Daw House to make your time at Daw House as comfortable as possible. Contact numbers Daw House ph. 8275 1714 Southern Adelaide Palliative Services ph. 8275 1732 fax. 8277 4957 page 2
Contents Contact numbers 2 Staying at Daw House 4 What do I need to bring with me? 4 Visiting hours 5 Day leave 5 Night visiting 5 Meals for visitors 5 Overnight stay for visitors 5 Children s play area 5 Social work services 6 Pastoral care 6 Art 7 Pets 7 Complementary care services 7 Hairdresser 7 Books and magazines 7 Amenities 8 Laundry 8 Telephone 8 Car parking 8 Research 9 Daw House Hospice Foundation Inc 10 Volunteer services 6
Staying at Daw House > > Daw House is a facility for shortterm stays. > > we endeavour to meet your request regarding being in a single room. However, this may not be possible due to the clinical needs of other patients. > > as a specialist palliative care service for patients with complex needs, Daw House cannot provide long term residential care. If you become medically stable and are unable to return home we may discuss alternative care with you and your family or carer. > > when you are discharged from Daw House, the support, resources and expertise of the Southern Adelaide Palliative Services remain available though the consultative medical, nursing, social work, complementary therapy and volunteer team. What do I need to bring with me? > > night attire, slippers and dressing gown. > > day clothes to wear, if you feel well enough. > > personal toiletries: e.g. soap, toothbrush and toothpaste, shaving needs, hairbrush, tissues. > > current medications, x-rays, and other relevant medical documentation and letters. > > Medicare card, pension card, pharmaceutical benefit card and private health fund information. > > a small amount of money for the telephone or newspapers, as responsibility for loss or damage cannot be accepted. > > your favorite drink (there is a refrigerator in your room). > > personal items such as favorite photographs from home to make the stay at Daw House as comfortable and homely as possible. > > please label all items that you bring to Daw House. page 4
Visiting hours > > there are no set visiting hours. > > family and friends are encouraged to spend as much time with you as possible. > > visiting hours can be negotiated with you and your family if you find visitors too tiring. Day leave If you feel well enough you may wish to negotiate periods of leave from the hospice with advice from your medical team (this maybe from a few hours to overnight). To ensure your safety: > > we will expect you to have a responsible carer with you at all times. > > you must provide us with a return time. > > if you are delayed for any reason please telephone the hospice. > > upon your return to the hospice ensure you inform the nurses of any medication taken whilst on leave. Night visiting For security reasons doors are locked after 5.00 pm. Relatives and friends are still able to visit by pressing the door bell at the entrance. Meals for visitors > > tea and coffee facilities are available at all times in the Day Room by the kitchen (please return your crockery to the kitchen when you have finished). > > a refrigerator, stove and microwave located in the kitchen are available for your convenience. > > refrigerators are installed in each room so that you and your family can store food brought in from home. > > a vending machine for cold drinks and light snacks is located in the passage to the administration wing of Southern Adelaide Palliative Services. > > snacks and meals are available from the Repat Springbank Café, the shop and kiosk. There is also a snack bar located to the north on Goodwood Road. Overnight stay for visitors Visitors are welcome to stay a fold up bed can be supplied. Children s play area Children visiting Daw House may get restless at times. Toys, games, puzzles, books, and play stations are located in an area just off the Day Room. page 5
Social work services A social worker is available for patients and families to: > > help understanding and adjusting to illness > > review their life > > arrange family meetings > > give advice about community resources, including Centrelink, residential care placements, wills, power of attorney, medical power of attorney and power of guardianship. Pastoral care > > Daw House is a non-denominational facility. > > the hospital provides a pastoral care team to Daw House, however you are welcome to invite your own religious or spiritual leader. > > the Hospital Chapel is open at all times and regular services are conducted on specific days. Volunteer services Our trained volunteers can provide the following: > > massage for your hands or feet > > music for relaxation and pleasure > > facial or manicure > > reading to you or writing letters > > assistance with your meals > > company in the garden or wherever you want to go > > company and a supportive listening ear > > an opportunity to reminisce, recall and record aspects of your life story > > general support to you, your family and friends For more information or to request a service please do not hesitate to speak to a staff member or call reception on ph: 8275 1714. page 6
Art Patients and families are offered the opportunity to use art materials and methods to promote a sense of wellbeing. A safe, comfortable space is created where stories can be told, feelings expressed, journeys explored with the support of an experienced facilitator. Anyone can access this resource no skills necessary. Remember the pleasure you had as a child creating without inhibitions? Perhaps now is the time to release your imagination and let the child in you play again. Pets Well behaved, continent pets are welcome visitors at Daw House. If you are in doubt please speak to Reception staff or one of the nursing staff. Complementary care services Massage, relaxation, meditation, aromatherapy and beauty therapy are offered to patients and family members. Please let your nurse know if you would like any of these services. Hairdresser Reception staff can arrange a visit by a hairdresser during your stay at Daw House. Books and magazines A range of books and magazines are available in the Day Room. page 7
Amenities > > the Daw House Day Room is set up as a lounge room and can be used by visitors. > > the Quiet Room may also be available for visitors. > > the garden courtyard ( Hayman Island ) can be accessed for your use and beds may be moved out into this area. > > an outside patio area, under the trees. Laundry > > please make arrangements for personal laundry to be done at home. > > limited laundry facilities are available at Daw House. Telephone > > enquiries can be made by contacting Daw House on ph: 8275 1714. > > phones are provided at the bedside, however these are available for incoming calls only. > > you are welcome to use your mobile phone in Daw House. Car parking > > there are a limited number of parking spaces near the front entrance of Daw House. > > additional parking may be found in car parks at the rear of Daw House. page 8
Daw House charges > > public hospital conditions apply to your stay in Daw House. > > should a longer stay be necessary, then your status will be reviewed and, if necessary, nursing home rates may apply. > > if privately insured, your health fund is billed through the Repatriation General Hospital at standard hospital rates. > > please supply Reception staff with details of your private insurance fund and your Medicare card. > > should you experience any difficulties Reception staff will be happy to assist you. Research Southern Adelaide Palliative Services (SAPS) has an active research program aimed at developing better ways to deliver the best possible palliative care. This research allows us to build evidence to target treatments to the people who will most benefit and improve the care that we provide. If you agree to help with this research, you may be approached to be involved in one of our projects by a study nurse. If you are keen to participate in our research programs please do not hesitate to contact us directly by asking staff to speak with a study nurse. page 9
Daw House Hospice Foundation Inc Patients with life limiting illnesses and their families are supported by the commitment and devotion of the staff and volunteers of Southern Adelaide Palliative Services. The Daw House Hospice Foundation shares in this commitment to quality care by increasing public awareness of the services provided by Daw House and fundraising to provide much needed resources. Financial support from the Foundation supplements basic government funding and allows the hospice to provide extra facilities and services that make patients time at Daw House more comfortable. The Foundation wholeheartedly supports initiatives that lead to better palliative care throughout southern Adelaide, rural and isolated communities. Recent Daw House Hospice Foundation support has provided the following items to improve patient care: > > oxygen concentrators to relieve respiratory difficulties > > syringe drivers for assistance with pain control > > electric beds > > specially designed mattresses to prevent pressure sores > > wheel chairs Fundraising Fundraising activities are undertaken by the Foundation. To ensure that the Foundation can continue to support Southern Adelaide Palliative Services in its important work with patients and their families, financial support is needed. You can help by making a donation, becoming a financial member or purchasing some products from our extensive Lavender products range. page 10
Daw House Hospice Foundation Inc. Please support us as we continue to provide additional funding for the special care for our patients, their families and carers. Every amount donated is used carefully and wisely. Donations over $2.00 are tax deductible and receipts will be issued. Yes, I will help with my gift of: $ Name: Address: Postcode: Phone No: (Home) (Work) My Cheque is enclosed. Please make cheques payable to: Daw House Hospice Foundation Inc or Please debit my MasterCard Visa Bankcard Number: / / / Expiry Date: / Please send to: Daw House Hopsice Foundation Inc. 700 Goodwood Road, Daw Park. South Australia 5041 Donations can be e-mailed via letter to our e-mail address suing credit card for payment: DHHF@rgh.sa.gov.au
For more information Daw House Hospice Foundation Inc. 700 Goodwood Road Daw Park South Australia 5041 Telephone: 08 8275 1732 www.sahealth.sa.gov.au If you require this information in an alternative language or format please contact SA Health on the details provided above and they will make every effort to assist you. http://www.gilf.gov.au/ Department of Health, Government of South Australia. All rights reserved. Printed April 2011.