What to expect during your stay

Safety for all

We respect everyone no matter their culture, race, religion, spirituality, gender, language, age or sexual orientation, and ask that you do so as well during your stay.

It is important that we all work together to keep our units safe, secure and comfortable for all-. To help achieve this we ask that yout reat other patients, visitors and staff with respect, courtesy and compassion.

A good rule of thumb is to treat other people the same way that you would like to be treated and to be a little more patient with others than usual.

Let a staff member know immediately If you are concerned about someone or are having difficulties with another patient.

Visiting Hours

Usually family, friends and support persons are welcome to visit you whilst you are in hospital. However due to the COVID-19 pandemic, visiting hours and rules are constantly changing. Please speak to a member of staff for the current situation.
Your family and friends can call these numbers and ask to talk to you: 

• Ground floor Unit: (03) 9076 3914
• First floor Unit: (03) 9076 3925

Meals

Tea and coffee making facilities are available in the dining room area for you and any visitors.
Each day, a menu is provided for you to select what food you would like for each meal. If you have any dietary requirements such as kosher, halal, vegan or allergies, please speak to your contact nurse.

Children

When you arrive, please inform the team if you have children in your care and appropriate support and care can be arranged. Social Workers can also assist with any concerns or questions you may have. Children can visit and you can speak with your team to arrange this. 

Bedrooms

Depending on your needs and availability of beds you will stay in a single or shared room. Within the units, there is also a women’s-only wing which contains a lounge area and kitchen facilities. You will not have to share a room with someone of a different sex.

Your personal belongings

We strongly encourage you not to bring valuable items onto the unit. Please consider leaving your valuable items at home or with a trusted friend or family member. Should you need to, there is a safe to securely store valuable items. Speak with a team member about this process. You are not allowed to have any medications from home with you on the unit. Please give these to nursing staff on arrival for storage.

You can keep your personal belongings such as clothes, toiletries, books, etc, with you in your room. There are also individual patient lockers where some items can be stored. Please speak to your nurse about accessing these. We are not able to take responsibility for personal items that are not stored in the safe or lockers. 

Drugs, alcohol and cigarettes

The Alfred is a smoke and drug-free space and we aim to provide a safe environment for all.  

The use of alcohol, drugs, nicotine products (cigarettes or vaping) are not permitted on the units.  Lighters and cigarettes can be kept in lockers outside the unit.  All non-prescribed medication, illegal subtances and alcohol, bought into the unit by you or a visitor, will be removed and not returned.

We acknowledge that stopping all substances can be incredibly difficult and we encourage you to speak to our staff to ensure the right support can be provided, including nicotine replacement if required.