Common questions about RMH@Home

The following are your responsibilities during treatment:

• You need to remain at home for the duration of your treatment. If you have medical appointments or other vital commitments, you must inform your nurse during the visit.
• Our medical team will provide all care and any prescriptions you may need. We will liaise with your GP as needed and keep them up to date once you have been discharged from the service. There is usually no requirement for you to visit your GP while you are being cared for by RMH@Home.
• We ask that you provide a smoke free and safe environment for our team.
• Please ensure pets are outside while our team is visiting.
• Notify the RMH@Home nurse when your medication supply is low. We will dispense more medications as required. You will not need to visit your GP or pharmacist.
• We request that you continue to wear your hospital armband while you are at home. It is a legal requirement for nurses to check this armband before giving you any medications.
• You will also be supplied with our 24 hour number to call for assistance. Patients are welcome to use this at any time of day, and you will be transferred directly to either a nurse or doctor within the service.

When you need to attend a specialist clinic:

• You should discuss this with the RMH@Home nurses when they visit.
• Arrange for a family member or friend to bring you into your appointment.
• On the day, the team will arrange for you to receive your care in our treatment area at the RMH and help you to find the location of your appointment. If you have a letter issued by the clinic, bring this with you.
• Discuss with the RMH@Home nurse if you have difficulty getting to your appointment.

All RMH@Home patients are provided with a phone number to call for support. You should call this number any time you feel unwell, if you have new or changing symptoms, or if you have any concerns or questions. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

In the event of a life threatening emergency, call 000, then:

• Ask someone to notify RMH@Home team of your situation via the 24 hour number as soon as possible.
• Ask to be taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Tell the transportation service that you are a patient of the Royal Melbourne Hospital and are being treated by RMH@Home.

Our team will discuss your treatment with you and keep you informed of plans after the completion of our care. We will provide your GP with information about your treatment.

We usually recommend that you make a follow-up appointment with your GP about one week after being discharged.

Throughout your time with us, we will work closely with you to plan the most appropriate care to meet your needs. This includes identifying and planning for the time when you no longer need intensive or specialised clinical care from us.

We will work with you, your GP, private specialists, family, carer and other appropriate partners in care to create a plan for support following discharge if required. We usually recommend that you make a follow-up appointment with your GP about one week after being discharged.