Patient FAQs

Is smoking allowed at Toronto Private Hospital?

In accordance with government legislation, smoking is prohibited on Toronto Private Hospital grounds, and a five metre buffer beyond our boundary. This applies to all patients, visitors and staff at all times and includes all smoking products including regular cigarettes and e-cigarettes. Please observe no smoking signage around our hospital grounds, as NSW Health can issue on the spot fines to people in breach of this legislation.

What mental health services does the hospital provide?

Toronto Private Hospital is the leading private mental health hospital in Lake Macquarie near Newcastle NSW. We have mental health facilities to treat most psychiatric disorders and illnesses.

Our services include:

• Neurostimulation – rTMS
• Trauma and dissociation
• Special care unit
• Older persons mental health
• Acute adult psychiatry
• Specialised inpatient therapy programs
• Acute community services
• Veterans and emergency services mental health
• Dialectical behaviour therapy – inpatient and day programs
• Broad range of day programs to provide ongoing support

How do I arrange admission?

A referral is required from your GP or treating Doctor, to a Psychiatrist with admitting rights to Toronto Private Hospital. Our Admissions and Assessment Coordinator will conduct an over-the-phone assessment and get your health fund details. Following assessment and health fund check, we will discuss your case with one of our treating private Psychiatrists. Following approval, we will contact you to arrange admission.

Do I need a letter of referral from my doctor?

Yes, you will need a referral from your treating doctor or specialist.

Can I enroll in a day program if I haven’t had an inpatient admission?

Yes, you can. To access our day programs, please ask your GP or health professional for a referral to a Toronto Therapy Services outlining the request for DAY PROGRAMS. Otherwise, please speak to your treating Psychiatrist, who will recommend a program suitable for you. Our staff will conduct a health fund check and confirm any out-of-pocket expenses.

Do you accept admissions after business hours?

Yes, we can arrange out-of-hours admission for individual patients.

We do not have an Emergency Department.

Generally, admissions are during business hours Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 5:30pm.

Please call 02 4956 0686 for all enquiries.

Do you offer Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation?

Yes. Our hospital has an accredited team of Clinicians who administer rTMS as part of an inpatient admission. During this time you will also be enrolled in a depression-specific psychoeducation program to assist with skills to support your recovery.

Can I bring my mobile phone?

Yes, however please turn off your mobile phone when participating in group activities.

If you are an inpatient, you will need to turn your phone to silent between 8:00pm and 6:00am to avoid disturbing other patients.

You will have a bedside telephone. Local calls are free of charge. For long distance (STD) or international (ISD) calls, you will need to purchase a telephone card from reception Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 5:30pm.

Can I bring other electrical appliances such as my laptop or hairdryer?

Yes, however our maintenance department must check electrical appliances before use. Checks occur Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 5:30pm. If you bring valuables into our hospital, this is at your own risk.

Can I bring my pillow and photos of family and friends?

Yes, you can bring personal items particularly if they will help you feel more comfortable.

Will my private health insurance cover me?

This depends on the individual private health insurance cover you have with your insurance provider. Our Admissions and Assessment Coordinator will check your level of cover with your insurance provider. We will advise you of any potential out-of-pocket expenses you will need to pay.

If I don’t have private health insurance can I still be admitted?

Our hospital accepts patients who can self fund their admission. The Admissions and Assessment Coordinator will be able to arrange an estimate of expenses for you. We offer After Pay and there are also options to access your superannuation under certain conditions to fund health care. Please visit My Super Care

Can I have a private room?

The type of accommodation you receive depends on the availability of rooms and your clinical presentation. We have single rooms with an ensuite bathroom and shared rooms with a shared bathroom. If sharing, you will share a room with a person of the same gender.

Can I have visitors?

Yes, visiting hours for all units of the hospital are constantly changing due to COVID-19. Please ask your visitors to call reception the day prior to their intended visit to discover the current visiting hours.

If you need to arrange a visit outside of these times, other hours may be negotiated with the Area Manager responsible for the unit.

We ask visits to be limited during group program sessions. Visitors must report to the staff station on arrival. Children must be supervised at all times.

Can I drive myself to hospital?

No, patients must not drive themselves while undergoing treatment. For more information, speak to your treating Psychiatrist.

Please arrange a family member or friend to bring you to hospital. We have limited, free onsite parking for visitors and staff.

Are snacks and refreshments available?

Yes, you can purchase snacks and refreshments in the common areas from dispensing machines.

Coffee, tea and biscuits for patients, staff and visitors are available in our lounge facilities. We also have an onsite café located at the hospital entrance, next to reception.

Once admitted as an inpatient, can I leave at my own will?

In the interest of patient safety and in accordance with our hospital leave policy, no leave is permitted for the first 72 hours of your hospital admission, to allow for assessment by your treating Psychiatrist.

Leave following this time is at the approval of the treating Psychiatrist and discretion of the Nursing staff.

What happens while I am a patient?

We provide active treatment with individual and group programs. You will be encouraged to participate in group therapy sessions and one-on-one appointments with your Psychiatrist. This all forms an important part of treatment, for you to explore emotional and behavioural patterns, and learn more about your disorder.

Can I be transferred to Toronto Private if I am admitted to a mental health unit at a public hospital?

Yes, you can.

You can request that your treating team make contact with our Admissions and Assessment Coordinator to determine your suitability for transfer.

Can I be admitted if I am under the Mental Health Act?

No, you can't, Toronto Private Hospital Mental Health unit is a voluntary unit only.