Patients & Visitors

Pre-Admission

Patients are welcome to visit the hospital anytime before they are due to be admitted in order to be assisted with the pre-admission process. This ensure that your actual day of admission is as pleasant and speedy as possible.

Patients are requested to acquire pre-authorisation number from their medical aid scheme prior to admission. Our pre-admission department or your doctor’s receptionist will assist you where possible.

You will be informed of any co-payments and deductibles which will be for your account and payable on admission. Cash paying patients will be required to pay the estimated amount on or before admission.

What we will need from you:

Medical Aid Card
ID book / card or Birth Certificate
Authorisation number provided by your medical aid scheme

If you are a dependent, please bring the main member’s ID and the medical aid card. In a case where a child is a minor and the main member is not available, the signatory must also provide proof of identification.

You may complete our pre-admission form at the comfort of your home and email it to reception@phelangbonolo.co.za

Click here for the printable Admission Form

Admission

Your Doctor's Referral

Your Doctor will notify the Hospital of your surgery/procedure and date by completing an Admission Request Form and Consent for Treatment Form.
Your Doctor will explain your surgery/procedure, answer any questions and will ask you to sign and date the Consent for Treatment Form.
If you have not signed the Consent for Treatment Form or do not understand your surgery/procedure please contact your Doctor and/or the Hospital as soon as possible

Clerical Pre Admission

If you have any concerns, please telephone 011 798 7000 between 6am to 10:30pm for assistance. You may also email via info@phelangbonolo.co.za
Personal/Next of Kin details
Medical Aid Card
Procedure codes, if these were provided to you by your Doctor

Recommendations & Considerations

Do NOT drive a car or operate machinery for 24 hours after an anaesthetic.
Do NOT eat or drink (this includes water) AFTER MIDNIGHT or AFTER 6AM for afternoon surgery unless your Doctor gives you other instructions.
Do NOT wear excessive jewellery (wedding ring permitted).
Do NOT bring any valuables like jewellery or large amounts of money to the Hospital.
You will be provided with a gown to wear for your procedure.
Phelang Bonolo and Botshilu Private Hospital DO NOT accept liability for any personal property brought into the Hospital.

What to bring if you are staying overnight

Medical aid card
Your ID book or card
Toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, moisturiser, and deodorant)
Your favourite book or magazine
Chronic medication, in its original packaging
Earphones

What to bring for day surgery

Any letter(s), current x-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, MRIs or test results from your doctor relating to your procedure.
Your Medical Aid Card
A list of all your current medications or your medications in their original boxes.
If you are diabetic, bring your insulin/tablets with you and DO NOT take your diabetic medication on the morning of your surgery unless you are told differently by your Doctor.
Please ensure your diabetic syringes and needles are in a rigid container with a lid.
If you do not have a suitable container, please notify a nurse who will provide you with one.
All your puffers for asthma.
Please consult your doctor if you are taking regular medications to find out what you need to stop or take prior to surgery.
Be prepared to spend most of the day in the hospital so bring a book, magazines, crossword, etc. to pass the time.

Your Stay

For your comfort and convenience Botshilu Private Hospital offers a variety of services for your comfort.

Accommodation

The Hospital offers a high standard of accommodation with both single and shared rooms available, all with ensuite bathrooms. Each room has a remote control entertainment system with television, movies, and radio access.

Nurse call system

Should you require anything at any time, please do not hesitate to call the nursing staff via the button located on the bedside handset. Our staff will endeavour to answer your call as quickly a possible.

Children

We are committed to providing flexible and family friendly care to all our patients. We recognise that any period of hospitalisation can be stressful for all concerned and our aim is to provide a safe yet family oriented environment. We encourage parents to bring with them their child’s favourite toys or bedding to help alleviate any anxiety they may be feeling.

Catering for patients

Patients receive fresh and nutritious meals prepared daily by our on-site chefs. Each morning patients receive menus, from which they select their meals according to preference and dietary requirements. Consultant dieticians are available to provide guidance with special dietary requirements.

Laundry

The hospital does not provide a personal laundry service. Please make your own arrangements with the help of family or friends. If this is not possible, please ask your nurse about alternatives.

Pharmacy

The pharmacy is located in the entrance hall of the hospital and has a range of toiletries and medication at affordable prices.

For more information on the pharmacy, please click here

Botshilu Cafe

Located in the main entrance hall, the Botshilu Café offers a range of hot and cold beverages, meals, sandwiches, cakes, and salads.

Operating hours are 08h00 – 19h00 daily.

ATM

For convenience, there is an ATM located in the hospital.

Smoking

Botshilu Private Hospital does not allow smoking inside the building or at the front entrance. All patients and visitors must kindly request the sister in charge where the designated smoking areas are.

Visiting Hours

Please be informed that with reference to the Government’s Gazette published on 22 June 2022, the visiting hours for the hospital have reverted to hours before the COVID-19 outbreak. The COVID-19 screening at the main entrance has also been suspended. Important notice: the wearing of a facemask is per individual’s choice except for symptomatic patients and visitors, staff taking care of patients and patients admitted in isolation and specialised units (wards), and those under clinical investigation, as well as their visitors. Please also take note that no firearms are allowed into the hospital, and regrettably, children under the age of 12 are not allowed in the wards.

Maternity

11h00 - 12h00
15h00 - 16h00
19h00 - 20h00

Only two visitors per patient

Paediatric Unit

11h00 - 12h00
15h00 - 16h00
19h00 - 20h00

Only two visitors per patient

Surgical A & B Ward and General Ward

11h00 - 12h00
15h00 - 16h00
19h00 - 20h00

Only two visitors per patient

NICU & ICU

NICU:
11h00 - 14h00: Mothers only (kangaroo care)
13:00 - 14:00: Fathers are also allowed to visit
19h15 - 20h00: Both Mothers and Fathers are allowed to visit but no kangaroo care during this visit

ICU:
11h00 - 12h00
15h00 - 16h00
19h15 - 20h00
Only two visitors per patient

Day Surgery

We understand that for many of our patients, this is the first time having a procedure in day surgery. We hope to provide you with a clear explanation of what to expect from your visit to the Day Surgery Unit at Botshilu Private Hospital.

FAQ

Pre-operative preparation

The nurse may ask you to get changed into a gown and place you in a bed or the lounge. Your belongings will be put under your bed so please try and bring small bags with you. You will return to the same bed after your operation. We recommend that you leave your valuables at home or with your support person or visitors.

Important

If you are taking any medication please bring them with you in their original packaging. Please note that nurses will admit patients according to the order of your Doctor’s operating list. Even though operating lists are carefully planned, emergencies can occur and the order of the list is sometimes changed.

Children patients | For parents

We appreciate and encourage your involvement in your child’s care. As parents you know your child better than anyone and your presence is of great value during your child’s stay in hospital. When your child goes to the operating theatre, you may accompany them into the holding bay. When your child wakes up in Recovery Unit, you may be called to sit with them so please ensure that the nursing staff know where you are and we have your mobile number in case we cannot find you.

Children patients | Playroom

There is a playroom available for children. If your child has a favourite toy, we request that you bring it with you, ensuring it is labelled.

Children patients | Meals

We will always offer your child something to eat after they have had their surgery. If your child has allergies please let us know and we will arrange for a special diet. If your child is on a special formula or has their own feeding cup or bottle, we strongly request that you bring it with you as we do not have the facilities to provide you with an alternative.

How long will I wait before my surgery?

Your Surgeon decides which time he wants you to come to hospital. The length of time you have to wait before surgery will depend on the length of time the case will take in front of you. This can vary depending on the type of surgery.

How long will my surgery take?

This will depend on the type of surgery you are having, but if your surgery takes at least 1 hour, you will also spend 1-2 hours in the Recovery Unit before discharge.

Following your procedure

After a period of time in the recovery area, you will stay in the Day Surgery unit between 2-4 hours depending on your procedure and how you feel. When you are feeling well and meet the discharge criteria, you will be escorted by a nurse to the Discharge Lounge to wait for your transport home.

Preparing to leave

A nurse will contact the escort or pick up person you nominated and will be given instructions about when and where to pick you up.The nurse will give you discharge information and answer any questions you may have. Please ensure you make a follow up appointment with your Doctor. If you need a medical certificate, please contact your Doctor. A nurse will contact your designated transport person to give them a discharge time.

Fasting

As you are preparing for a surgical procedure, you will not be able to eat anything beforehand. There is no food or drink allowed in Day Surgery. You will be given a light diet and refreshments after your procedure, however if you have any special dietary requirements please let your admission nurse know so they can organise this.

Your support person

Most people arrive at Day Surgery with a support person. To maintain safety, patient confidentiality, privacy and comfort for our patients, your support person may not be permitted into Day Surgery. Your support person is welcome to sit in the reception area and the nurses will keep them informed of your progress. If your support person prefers to leave the hospital while you are having your operation, please remind them that they need to check with the nurse before leaving the hospital to ensure we have their contact details should we need to contact them for further information about you.

Discharge

Recovering at home

It is important that you are well informed of the correct way to recover at home after you are discharged. This will ensure that the medical treatment received while admitted is carried out successfully till you have fully recovered.

For more information about caring for yourself or loved ones during this transition, please click here.