During your stay in hospital, you are cared for by a team of health professionals and support staff.
Every patient is cared for by a team of health professionals including doctors, nurses and allied health staff, and other support staff such as clerical, catering and cleaning staff.
All staff must wear photographic identity badges that include their name and job title.
Teaching and research
The RMH is a university (tertiary) teaching hospital with a long and proud commitment to providing quality educational experiences for our future health care providers. We work closely with the universities that train health professionals.
You may be asked if you would be willing to let a student examine you or ask you some questions.
You may also be invited to participate in one of the hospital’s research projects. If you agree, all information you provide will remain strictly confidential.
You are under no obligation to participate in either teaching or research. Feel free to refuse, but we hope you will agree as your participation is an important contribution towards students' education and an investment in everyone's future health care.
Whether you agree or refuse, it will have no effect on the treatment and care you receive.
Who does what?
Here's a brief description of what each person does. If you want to know more, ask the ward staff.
Nurses assess, plan and implement your daily care. They manage your general health, encourage you to be independent and teach you about your health care needs.
Nurses are also responsible for assessing and managing your health condition.
There are generally three doctors involved in your care - specialist consultant, registrar and resident. Together they manage your medical care:
- Residents are based on the ward and is the doctor you will see the most, so you should raise any medical issues or concerns you have with the resident doctor.
- Registrars visit you if the resident asks them to.
- Specialist consultants attend daily ward rounds and meetings at specific times.
Allied health professionals have specialised expertise in preventing, diagnosing and treating a range of conditions and illnesses. They work as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide specialised support for different patient needs, such as:
- Dietitians assess and advise on your nutritional needs.
- Music therapists use music to help you attain and maintain a sense of wellbeing.
- Neuropsychologists help identify and manage changes in your thinking and behaviour, and, where required, assess your decision-making capacity.
- Occupational therapists help you to undertake the activities of everyday life by developing your abilities, providing equipment or modifying the environment to better support your needs.
- Pharmacists help you understand your medications.
- Physiotherapists and exercise physiologists help you develop your mobility, balance, strength and physical skills.
- Podiatrists assess, advise and manage any foot problems you might have.
- Prosthetists and orthotists help you with a brace or artificial limb.
- Psychologists assess your reaction to your condition, and your moods and feelings, and provide counselling.
- Social workers provide counselling, support and planning for your discharge.
- Speech pathologists assess and manage any difficulties with swallowing, talking and communication skills.
- Clinical assistants assist nursing staff by performing cleaning duties and general ward housekeeping. They also assist in transportation of patients within the hospital.
- Patient services assistants deliver your meals and drinks, and also assist with general cleaning of the ward.
- Porters assist with transporting patients within the hospital.
- Ward clerks are the receptionists at the main desk who can assist you with your queries
- Volunteers assist with transportation between wards and to the Transit Lounge.