Patients going to hospital
If you're going to hospital, you probably have a lot of questions. What should I bring? What should I do about my regular medications? What care can I expect during my stay?
- Going to hospital
- Staying in hospital
- Leaving hospital
- Telehealth
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander support
- Interpreter services
- Chaplain services
- How to access healthcare if you are visiting from overseas
- Your medical record
- Your healthcare rights and responsibilities
- Health costs, insurance and financial support
- Learn more about going to hospital
Visiting someone in hospital
There are some restrictions due to COVID-19 when visiting someone in hospital.
Visitors are an important part of the recovery process and are welcome. Visitors can help people recover faster, and also help reduce their anxiety and stress.
Visiting hours may vary for each hospital and different wards.
Find out more about visiting someone in hospital.
Raise concerns about a patient's health (Ryan's Rule)
Ryan's Rule is a 3 step process to support patients of any age, their families and carers, to raise concerns if a patient’s health condition is getting worse or not improving as well as expected.
Read more about the Ryan’s Rule process on the Clinical Excellence Queensland website.
Health costs, insurance and financial support
Find out what costs are covered when you go to hospital, options for patients with private health insurance and the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme.
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What's covered by Medicare
Medicare helps with the costs of seeing a doctor, getting medicines and accessing mental health care.
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Using your private health insurance
It’s up to you whether you use your private health insurance in a public hospital or Medicare.
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Long stay patients
A long stay patient is when you’ve spent 35 or more days in hospital.
Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme
If you live in a rural and remote area, and have to travel more than 50 km to your local public hospital, you may be eligible for the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme. Find out if you're eligible.
The Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme helps with travel and accommodation costs for patients who need to use specialist medical services that aren't available in their local area.
You can read more about the subsidy scheme on the Queensland Government website.
Last updated: March 2023