Kodowlinun (Acute Medical/Surgical)
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What we do
Bass Coast Health’s (BCH) ‘Kodowlinun’ is a 32 bed Medical and Surgical ward. The name Kodowlinun is an Indigenous word meaning ‘I am better’ and was kindly gifted to BCH by the Bunurong Land Council.
Consumers to Kodowlinun are managed by a medical and surgical team 24 hours a day and supported by an extensive multidisciplinary team of health care professionals. This collaborative approach ensures each consumer’s health needs are identified, resources are allocated appropriately and care is delivered effectively to achieve the best possible outcome.
The care team includes Nurses, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, Speech Therapists, Dietetians, Pharmacists and Physiotherapists. Other allied health, nursing and medical professionals can be referred to as required, to deliver the appropriate care to the consumer. Bass Coast Health’s Aboriginal Health Clinical Nurse Consultant and Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer are also available upon request.
Consumers who have elective surgery at BCH and require an overnight or extended stay post-operatively are admitted to Kodowlinun, where treatment continues in collaboration with the surgical team and our ward-based multidisciplinary team.
Patients admitted to Kodowlinun receive person-centred care aimed at improving their health, wellbeing, care experience and health outcomes. Our focus is on collaborating with patients, families and carers to promote person-centred care, ensuring patients feel safe and empowered to discuss all aspects of their health care journey.
Individualised discharge planning considers the future care requirements of consumers following their discharge from hospital. In doing this we may consider referrals to at home services, residential aged care services if required and specialist outpatient clinics.
Do I need a referral?
Admission to Kodowlinun may be directly from the Emergency Department or via the elective surgical pathway. Direct referrals from external health services and GP will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and require this referral form:
Will I have to pay for services?
BCH provides medical treatments to Overseas Visitors, also referred to as Medicare Ineligible Patients. For further information on eligibility and costs involved go to:
Where are we located?
Level 3, Wonthaggi Hospital, 235 Graham Street, Wonthaggi.
How to contact us
Wonthaggi Hospital
Phone: (03) 5671 3333
Fax: (03) 5671 3342.
What should I bring if I am staying in hospital?
• Your toiletries
• Suitable clothing and footwear to wear during the day and overnight
• Your mobile phone and charger (if you have one)
• Your Medicare card
• Your Healthcare card, Pension Card, Department of Veterans’ Affairs card (if you have one)
• Adverse drug alert card (if you have one)
• An up-to-date list of your medications
• Any relevant test results or scans, such as x-ray films, scans, ultrasounds or any other test results you have which are related to your condition
• Any aids that you would usually use on a daily basis (e.g., glasses, hearing aid, walking frame)
• Your general practitioner (GP) contacts details
• Your Advanced Care Directive and Medical Power of Attorney (if you have one)
• Your Transport Accident Commission (TAC) or WorkCover claim numbers (if you have one).
(Please note BCH is not responsible for items brought into hospital. We encourage you to leave valuables at home).
How can I give feedback regarding my health care?
• BCH has a variety of ways to provide feedback including in-person, via phone, email, letter or online.
• Care Opinion is a safe and anonymous public website where you can share your story. You can tell us about your experience, good or bad. You can access Care Opinion at www.careopinion.org.au
• Alternatively, you can contact our Quality Office on (03) 5671 3365, Monday – Friday between 8am and 5pm. Or, write to us via email Quality@basscoasthealth.org.au or a letter can be posted to either the Quality Office or our CEO, PO Box 120, Wonthaggi, 3995.
• For further information about the feedback options at BCH, please visit Feedback | Bass Coast Health.
What are my rights and responsibilities
• BCH acts in accordance with the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights. For further information on the Charter of Healthcare Rights please visit Rights and Responsibilities | Bass Coast Health
• BCH collects personal, health and sensitive information to help us determine the right care and treatment for you. Our staff are bound by strict rules about how your personal and health information can be used. You can ask to see the information we have through the Freedom of Information (FOI) process. Further information can be found by visiting Privacy and Confidentiality | Bass Coast Health.
What we can expect from you
Acts of violence, threats, or verbal aggression towards staff members, other patients or visitors will not be tolerated. Security or police will be immediately called to maintain safety for all.
We encourage all visitors to Bass Coast Health to report any concerning behaviours to our staff immediately, so that we can continue to provide care in a safe environment.
