FAQS

Every day:

• 2 – 4.30pm
• 6 – 7.30pm

If there are extenuating circumstances where you may need to be with a friend or relative outside of these times, this can be arranged by speaking to ward staff.

Our hospital has a designated privacy officer who can assist you with any questions you may have regarding privacy. If the information you're looking for isn't covered in the Privacy section of this site, please contact us and request to speak with the hospital's privacy officer.

Yes. We provide maternity services for private and public patients.

You'll need to obtain a referral from your general practitioner for an obstetrician who'll arrange your booking to North West Private.

Public maternity patients are admitted to a four bed ward.

Yes. North West Private accepts self-funded patients.

If you're a self-funded patient, please inform your specialist who can arrange your admission. Quotes can be obtained from our patient services clerk.

Public maternity and ophthalmology patients don't need to self-fund under an arrangement with the Department of Health and Human Services.

A range of surgical specialists have admitting rights to our hospital.

Search our specialist database.

The North West Private Hospital is owned by an Australian company, Healthe Care Australia Pty Ltd. Healthe Care is the largest privately owned network of private hospitals in Australia.

We're located at 21 Brickport Road in Burnie, Tasmania.

Travelling west on the highway from the Burnie CBD, turn left at the Cadbury Factory and then follow the signs up the hill.

See Contact Us for further information.

Yes. North West Hospital is a Tier 1 hospital provider for the DVA and offers comprehensive care for private patients including eligible veterans and war widows.

Our hospital has a designated veterans' liaison officer dedicated to providing DVA patients, their families and carers with a range of additional support services.

Yes. On request, if a private room is available a private room it can be arranged for a DVA patient at a cost of $50.00 per day. This fee isn't covered by the DVA and must be paid for by the DVA patient at the time of admission to the hospital.

Once we've received your 'Admission' form and/or have been advised of your intending admission date, our member eligibility clerk will conduct a member check with your health fund.

You'll then receive a call from our member eligibility clerk advising you of the out of pocket expenses you will be required to pay on or before admission to the hospital.

In the case of out of hours admissions or admissions via the Department of Emergency Medicine at North West Regional Hospital (public hospital), any monies owing can be paid during the admission process or on discharge.

Yes. You may bring any electrical appliances that will make your stay more comfortable. All electrical appliances will be checked for electrical compliance soon after admission Please note that all valuables including electrical appliances you bring with you to hospital are brought at your own risk. No responsibility is taken by the hospital in the event of damage or loss.

The hospital's Booking Office or Day Surgery staff will contact you 48 hours prior to your scheduled surgery date to advise you of your admission time and fasting instructions.

It's not always necessary to have one or both of these appointments. If they're necessary, your doctor will organise these for you before your admission to hospital.

Talk to your doctor if you have any doubts or concerns.

You need to visit your general practitioner and ask for a referral to your choice of specialist who has admitting rights to North West Private Hospital.

Note that public patients can only be admitted for maternity and ophthalmology services.

Yes. We welcome a parent or carer who wishes to stay with their child overnight. A stretcher bed and meals are provided by the hospital at no cost to you.

The hospital provides treatment for most general psychiatric disorders, including:

• Mood and anxiety disorders
• Post-natal disorders
• Borderline personality disorder
• Psychotic disorders (without significant behavioural disturbances)

Yes. All rooms in Rivendell Clinic are private rooms with an ensuite bathroom.

Yes. Please bring these items, particularly if this will help you feel more comfortable. Please note the hospital takes no responsible for loss of or damage to personal belongings brought to hospital.

It's preferable you do not drive yourself to the hospital. We recommend that you arrange a family member or friend to drive you to the clinic as there are limited facilities for long term parking. The clinic's treating psychiatrist may recommend you don't drive during your stay.

Yes. Visitors are welcome. Visiting hours are 2-4.30 pm and 6-7.30 pm every day. While you may also have visitors outside of these visiting hours, we prefer you don't you have visitors during group program times.

Yes. Admissions times are flexible and can occur both within and outside of business hours including weekends. Rivendell Clinic doesn't cater for Emergency admissions.

Yes. You may bring your mobile phone with you however, it's important to turn your mobile off when participating in group activities and also from 10 pm in the evenings to avoid disturbing other patients. Each patient in Rivendell Clinic has their own bedside phone to make local, mobile, long distance (STD) and international (ISD) calls. While all local calls are free, patients are responsible for paying other call charges on discharge from the hospital.

During your stay, you'll be encouraged to participate in diversional therapy groups and group therapy sessions. These are an important component of the program and provide an opportunity for you to explore your emotional and behavioural patterns while learning about your disorder.

In addition, during your stay, you'll also:

• Undergo a physical examination by the medical officer
• Be reviewed weekly by the consultant psychiatrist
• Receive regular one-on-one counselling with nursing staff
• Be prescribed medications to treat symptoms if required

Rivendell Clinic is a six bed unit within North West Private Hospital. It provides specialised psychiatric and psychological assessment and intervention for patients over 16 years of age.

This depends on your individual level of cover and your health insurance provider. Prior to admission, the assessment co-ordinator will arrange a fund check with your health insurer, to obtain information of any potential costs to be paid on your behalf. They will you contact you to advise of the estimated out of pocket expenses.

The length of your stay is based on your individual needs and determined in consultation with your treating psychiatrist. The average duration of stay at Rivendell Clinic is three weeks.

Rivendell Clinic only accepts voluntary patients. The clinic has a 'No Leave' policy in the first 24 hours of admission. If you are well enough, you may be allowed a few hours day leave on the weekends. You may be offered overnight trial leave the weekend prior to your planned discharge.

Yes. A referral is required from your treating general practitioner unless you're under the care of a private psychiatrist. You'll then need to obtain a letter of referral from your psychiatrist.

A letter of referral from your doctor will be required. Our psychiatric nurse will do an over the phone assessment and obtain your health fund details. Following assessment and a health fund check, our nurse will discuss your case with the clinic's accredited psychiatrist. Following approval for admission, we will contact you to arrange assessment and admission.

You'll need to bring:

• Letter of referral
• All current prescription medications and any repeat scripts
• Medicare and/or private health insurance cards
• Casual comfortable day clothes
• Comfortable footwear
• Clothing and footwear suitable for exercise and walks
• Nightwear
• Personal toiletries
• Books, magazines, jigsaw puzzles, craft and hobby materials

Prior to your admission, our staff will advise you of any additional items you should bring with you.

No. While North West Private Hospital is co-located with the North West Medical Centre, we're unable to transfer calls to any of the specialists or businesses located in the centre.

Each of the rooms and specialists at the medical centre have their own separate numbers. See North West Medical Centre for further information.

No. Many specialists are visiting consultants and may use rooms at North West Private for clinic appointments however we don't accept payment on their behalf.

It's your responsibility to pay these accounts as requested by the visiting consultant.