Please note that every patient admitted to hospital must provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test from within the previous 72 hours.

On your day of surgery, we ask that you arrive wearing your own surgical or cloth face mask. If you come to Hospital in a cloth mask, we will provide you with a surgical mask to replace it with.

You will also need to register your attendance using the Prince of Wales Private Hospital QR code - this is a separate registration process to the one in the Public Hospital main entrance on the Ground Floor. Please report to Level 5 where you will undergo a quick temperature screening and be directed to Bookings and Admissions.

If you are staying at Hospital, you must wear a surgical (not cloth) mask if you leave your room. You may bring your own from home but we also have them available on the ward.

We recommend that you review the NSW Health advice on face masks, including the best mask types and how to safely take them on and off.

If you have any concerns or questions, we are here to help. Call (02) 9650 4000 during business hours, or (02) 9650 4415 after hours.

FAQs

• Who will be wearing face masks at Hospital?
  In addition to patients and visitors, all healthcare workers must now wear a surgical mask when on the wards and in shared spaces in the Hospital. This is mandatory for all staff, including doctors, nurses, food service attendants, cleaning staff, allied services staff, corporate staff, wardspersons and more.

• Has Prince of Wales Private Hospital had any cases of COVID-19?
  To date, we have not had a patient with COVID-19. Our robust screening protocols are designed to reduce the majority of risk and our dedicated staff are constantly monitoring the wards.
  
  
• What happens if there is a case of COVID-19 at Hospital during my stay?
  If a patient exhibits COVID-11 symptoms during their stay, and becomes a suspect case, we are very well-prepared to manage them and have planned for this eventuality.
  
  
• Are nurses now restricted in the way they interact with patients?
  Our nurses, doctors and other staff are following social distancing recommendations, but we continue to provide all necessary care and support required. We expect patients and visitors to practice the same social distancing protocols and be vigilant with hand hygiene.
• Can I still have visitors?
  While Sydney works to contain the latest COVID-19 outbreak, visitors to the general wards are not permitted at this time unless there are exceptional circumstances.
  
  
• Why can’t I have any visitors?
  We appreciate that this news might be upsetting for you and your loved ones. However, patients, together with health care workers, are vulnerable to COVID-19. And as our Hospital is within a current COVID-19 hotspot, we must take every precaution to keep everyone on site as safe as possible.

• Is/are my child/ren allowed to visit if they come with an adult?
  Sorry, no. Children under 16 may not visit patients in the wards for infection-control purposes.
  
  
• Are my visitors allowed to bring me food and other items (eg clothes, books, toiletries)?
  Yes, they are.
  
  
• Will I be discharged early? Can I leave early if I want to?
  As long as it is appropriate for you to go home, we will support the decision you and your admitting doctor make together.

We are still caring for maternity patients in our usual way but have increased our safety protocols:

• If you have a planned or unplanned admission, please contact the Birthing Unit on 9650 4444 prior to coming to Hospital.
• All maternity patients >37weeks and their partner/support person require a COVID test every 72 hours until admission.
• If you have not had a recent test and this is an unforeseen admission, you will be tested upon admission to the Maternity Unit. Patients will not be turned away if they have not had a recent test. Further instructions will be provided on the phone when you call.
• For any medical appointments at the Hospital, including appointments with your obstetrician on Level 7, pathology, or scans, we recommend you have evidence of a negative COVID-19 test from within the previous 72 hours. If you live in any of the 12 LGAs of concern, this will be a mandatory requirement.
• During your Hospital stay, your partner can accompany you in the Unit. Unfortunately, siblings and other visitors may not come to Hospital. If your partner leaves the facility, they will need to return a negative COVID-19 test every 72 hours throughout your admission.
• Due to limited space, partners visiting babies in the Special Care Nursery will be limited to 30 minutes per day. Mothers may visit any time as long as social distance can be maintained.
• We ask that you arrive to Hospital wearing your own surgical or cloth face mask. If you come to Hospital in a cloth mask, you will need to replace it with a disposable surgical mask – we will provide one upon your arrival.
• On arrival, please register your attendance using the Prince of Wales Private Hospital QR code and come to the Birthing Suite on Level 6.
• During your stay, you and your partner must wear a surgical (not cloth) mask when outside your room.

Thank you for your understanding - we will work our very hardest to ensure your experience is as safe and comfortable as possible. If you have any concerns, do not hesitate to contact our Nurse Unit Managers on (02) 9650 4444 or your obstetrician, who has been advised of these changes.

FAQs

Who will be wearing face masks at Hospital?
In addition to patients and visitors, all healthcare workers must now wear a surgical mask when on the wards and in shared spaces in the Hospital. This is mandatory for all staff, including doctors, nurses, food service attendants, cleaning staff, allied services staff, corporate staff, wardspersons and more.

Can I have visitors during my stay?
Unfortunately visitors are not permitted at the moment. This is to best protect everyone at Hospital.

Can my other child/ren visit me at the hospital?
Siblings cannot visit, we’re sorry to report. Due to the increasing COVID-19 transmissions in Sydney, we have decided to reduce the traffic to the ward in the best interests of mums, babies and staff.

Should I still come in for my pre-admission/Meet the Midwife appointment?
No. All face-to-face appointments, including the pre-admission clinic and Meet the Midwife, are no longer running. These sessions are now conducted over the phone.

Do I need to call ahead before coming to the Maternity Unit?
Yes, please ring us in advance if you decide to come in for any reason. Whether you’re in labour, have left something behind during your stay, or just want to say hello – we can anticipate your arrival and make sure you’re healthy enough to enter the Unit.

Can I have my partner AND my doula with me during childbirth?
At this stage in the pandemic, you may only have one person with you when you deliver your baby. This can be your partner or a support person. They must not be unwell or have returned from overseas in the 2 weeks before birth.

My partner needs to go home while I’m in Hospital. If they have to leave the ward, will you let them back in?
During your admission, if your partner/support person is intending to leave the facility whilst you are an inpatient, they will require another negative swab result every 72 hours and this result must be carried with them at all times. Ideally support people will minimise leaving and re-entering the Maternity Unit.

Can we bring food and drinks to Hospital with us?
Yes, you can bring items with you. Your room will have a small bar fridge and we have a shared kitchen, with a microwave, for heating food. There is also a range of snacks available in the kitchen after hours.

Can we have food or other supplies (eg clothes/toiletries) delivered or brought in for us?
We ask that other visitors, including food delivery services (eg UberEats), do not come to the Hospital at this time.

Is the Maternity Ward locked?
The entire Unit – Maternity Ward, Delivery Suite, Special Care Nursery - is locked, with admission granted via an intercom.

Will I be discharged early? Can I leave early if I want to?
You are welcome to remain for your entire Hospital stay, but this is best discussed with your Obstetrician. As long as you and your baby are well, we will support the decision made by you and your doctor.

Is my partner allowed to install the car seat in the car park on the day of discharge then come back and get me?
Yes, they can do this on the day of discharge.

Is the Well Baby Nursery (aka night nursery) still open?
After careful consideration, we have closed the Well Baby Nursery in the Maternity Ward. This is in the best interest of patient safety. Your baby will ‘room-in’ with you overnight.

Can I still visit my baby in the Special Care Nursery?
Yes. You can visit your baby in the Special Care Nursery. Please note your partner/support person is limited to 30 minutes per day due to COVID-19 safety protocols.

Will a lactation consultant still available?
Yes, the lactation consultant is still available to assist with breastfeeding support during your stay on the Ward.

Are you still running antenatal workshops and Hospital tours?
Our face-to-face antenatal workshops are now held online. Ward tours have been cancelled for now but we will be launching a virtual tour of the Unit soon.

Has Prince of Wales Private Hospital had any cases of COVID-19?
To date, we have not had a patient with COVID-19. Our robust screening protocols are designed to reduce the majority of risk and our dedicated staff are constantly monitoring the wards.

What happens if there is a case of COVID-19 at Hospital during my stay?
If a patient exhibits COVID-19 symptoms during their stay, and becomes a suspect case, we are very well-prepared to manage them and have planned for this eventuality.

Are midwives now restricted in the way they interact with patients and partners/support persons while in the unit?
Our midwives, doctors and other staff are following social distancing recommendations, but we continue to provide all necessary care and support required. We expect patients and partners/support persons to practice the same social distancing protocols and be vigilant with hand hygiene

Prince of Wales Private Hospital has restricted visitors on the wards to:

• General wards - Visitors are not permitted at this time unless in limited circumstances.
• Maternity Unit – No siblings or visitors (other than partners) permitted at this time.

We ask that permitted visitors arrive wearing a surgical or cloth face mask. If you come to Hospital in a cloth mask, you will need to replace it with a surgical mask – we will provide one upon your arrival. We recommend that you review the NSW Health advice on wearing face masks, including the best mask types and how to safely take them on and off.

Before entering the ward, please register your attendance using the Prince of Wales Private Hospital QR code. This is separate to the QR code on the Ground Floor of the Hospital Campus. You will then have your temperature taken by our staff.

While you are at our Hospital, please remember to practice social distancing and hand hygiene for the protection of our vulnerable patients and hard-working staff - and for your own health, too.

The good news is that these simple measures can effectively reduce the spread of COVID-19:

• Wash your hands regularly, including when you enter your loved-one’s hospital room, and when you leave.
• Observe social distancing guidelines, which requires you to stay 1.5 metres away from others.

Fact sheets

• Tips for coping with Coronavirus anxiety
• Maintaining your mental health during social isolation
  
• Coronavirus: Resources for Anxiety, Stress and Wellbeing
  
• Reassuring your children about the unknown
  
  

Apps

• Smiling mind – top-rated, free meditation app.
• Calm – Meditation, sleep stories, master classes and music to help you focus, relax and sleep.
  
• Headspace – Get happy. Stress less. Sleep soundly. Headspace is your guide to everyday mindfulness in just a few minutes a day.

Podcasts

• In Good Health – Dr Sandro Demaio takes a look at the science and research behind the buzzwords to help you understand how to eat for better mental, physical and social health.
• Unlocking Us – Researcher, Brene Brown, discusses how we are hardwired for connection, and that connecting requires courage, vulnerability and conversation.
• Mindfully – Join Lisa Millar and Sydney Swans legend and mindfulness champion, Brett Kirk, as they bring you the tools you need to find a calmer and happier you.

Go to the authorities on health and government for factual information and resources regarding COVID-19.

• Australian Government Department of Health
• NSW Health
• Randwick City Council
• World Health Organization (WHO)