Thames Hospital

The Thames Family Health Team provide access to the following services:

• physiotherapists
• occupational therapists
• district nurses
• social workers
• dietitians
• public health nurses.

These services operate from the Thames Hospital campus and from community bases in Coromandel, Whitianga, Whangamata, Waihi and Paeroa. 

To contact the Thames Family Health Team:

• phone: 07 868 0040external link

If you would like to enquire after a relative or friend who is currently in Thames Hospital, call  07 868 0040external link

Tell us the full name of the patient you are enquiring about and the ward they are on, if you know it.

We can only provide basic information about their location and condition, for privacy reasons. You can ask to be put through to their ward if you wish to discuss something with a member of their care team or the nurse or midwife in charge of the ward.

What you need to know when visiting:

• staff may ask you to wear a face mask in particular situations or locations to protect people at higher risk
• use hand sanitiser provided before entering and after leaving the patient room and facility
• be considerate of other patients and staff caring for them at all times
• children must be supervised at all times
• do not eat or drink in patient areas
• drugs, alcohol, gang regalia and smoking or vaping are not permitted.

Key support person

A patient or their family can nominate a key support person for emotional and practical support, and they will be able to stay with the patient for longer than the normal visiting hours. They are welcome to visit from 8am to 8pm or longer at the discretion of the nurse in charge of a ward.

If the patient is not capable of nominating someone, then family can do this.

The key support person may change at intervals in response to the patient’s wishes and availability of a person.

The key support person will be welcomed, but not obliged, to be present with the patient to:

• participate in clinical conversations and family meetings
• participate in clinical handovers
• help with basic or essential care needs (in agreement with appropriate staff)
• support the patient with decision making
• help with the transition of care to the patient’s home.

Support for Māori 

The kaitiaki service is available at Waikato, Thames, Tokoroa, Te Kuiti and Taumarunui hospitals and are available 8:30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Phone: 021 806 171external link or ask at the ward reception.

Social workers

Social workers assist with any social problem(s) that will impact on your ongoing care or discharge planning. This could involve:

• information
• support
• assistance and coordination around emotional and practical issues
• legal issues
• family and relationship issues
• social circumstances
• family violence issues
• discharge planning.

Ask the ward staff to contact a social worker if you need this type of advice or support.

Patient advocacy

The national Health and Disability Advocacy network provides a free service and can assist you to resolve your complaint about a health or disability service.

To contact Health and Disability Advocacy:

• phone (freephone): 0800 555 050external link
• Health and Disability Advocacyexternal link

Send a free e-card to a patient staying at one of our hospitals. E-cards will be printed and delivered to patients by our volunteer services.

• Fill out the form with your details, patient details and message.
• Provide as much information as you can about the patient you wish to contact.
• Messages will be processed and forwarded to the appropriate ward, service or department as soon as possible — usually by the next morning.
• Your message will need to be read by our staff at Waikato Hospital to determine where it should be forwarded to.

Send a free e-card

We can book an interpreter to support:

• people who do not speak English or do not speak it with confidence
• people who communicate by sign language
• when translation of written information (to or from English) is required
• some interpreter services are available by telephone.

Let the service or ward know as soon as possible if you want to use an interpreter. It can take time to arrange one.

On the day of your operation, you and your whānau will need to make your way to the Thames Hospital day stay unit by the time given on your appointment letter. The day stay unit is located on Level 3.

The lifts are located through the main entrance by the emergency department. Let the receptionist know when you have arrived and a nurse will come collect you to help prepare you for surgery.

You will also meet the surgeon and anaesthetist who will be providing your care in the operating room.

After your surgery you will return to the day stay unit. Your whānau or support person can join you again here. You cannot drive for 24 hours after an anaesthetic and will need somebody to drive you home.