Understanding where you will receive care

South Metropolitan Health Service (SMHS) is committed to providing you with the right care, in the right place at the right time.

This means that where you receive care may change depending on what you are being treated for, and what type of care you need. This will be determined by your treating medical team in discussion with you.

Hospital transfers

The kind of care provided at each of our five hospitals is different.

As your clinical needs change, you may be transferred to another hospital in our network or to a hospital nearer your home to continue your care, and to get you ready for discharge.

If you need to transfer to another hospital, your treating team will discuss this with you. If you transfer to another SMHS hospital, your new treating team will have full access to your medical records to coordinate your care.

Our hospitals

Depending on your needs and personal circumstances, you may be transferred to any of these hospitals.

Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospitals Group

Fiona Stanley Hospital is the major hospital in the south metropolitan area. It provides specialised care including:

• acute medical and surgical services for adults, youth, and children
• statewide specialist services including adult burns, rehabilitation, and transplantation.

Fremantle Hospital delivers mental health, acute care of the older person, rehabilitation, and elective surgical services.

Cockburn Health provides specialist mental health services.

Learn about Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospitals Group (external site)

Rockingham Peel Group

Rockingham General Hospital focuses on the broader health needs of the community. Its services include emergency, acute and general medicine, surgical, psychiatry, paediatrics, neonatal and obstetrics.

Murray District Hospital provides aged care services, particularly to people awaiting rehabilitation and end-of-life care.

Read about Rockingham Peel Group (external site).

Peel Health Campus

Peel Health Campus has services that include emergency, surgical and medical services, rehabilitation, and obstetrics. 

Find out more about Peel Health Campus (external site).

When you are ready to leave hospital

Within 24 hours of coming to hospital, we may be able to tell your planned date for return home. This is known as your estimated date of discharge and will be updated by your treating team throughout your admission.

Setting this date helps us to plan your care and helps you, your family, and carers to prepare for you leaving hospital. Your medical team will advise you when your treatment is complete, and when you are medically ready for discharge.

This may occur at short notice, but it is only done when you are medically ready to leave. Once discharged, you may be able to return home and manage daily living tasks:

• independently
• with help from family and carers
• with support from community services who come in and help at home.

Discharge support

Even when your time in hospital is short, we can continue to assess and rehabilitate you after your discharge. This approach helps you recover your strength and independence in your own home and reduces your risk for hospital acquired complications.

Whatever your discharge pathway, your treating team will work with you, your family, and carers to address barriers to your safe discharge. This may include:

• preparing discharge medications
• providing tailored information and support to you and your family
• provision of essential equipment
• referring you to community services.

If you are clinically ready for discharge but need more support before returning home, you may require residential respite or a Transitional Care Program.

These programs can provide short-term care to improve your health after a stay in hospital or can support you while awaiting placement in a residential care facility.

If you are not suitable for a transitional care program and can no longer return home, our SMHS social work team will support you and your family in finding suitable accommodation. If you cannot find accommodation and you remain in hospital longer than 35 days, public hospitals can charge a fee. If requiring direct placement in a residential aged care facility from hospital, you must register with a minimum of three facilities and accept the first available vacancy whilst awaiting your preferred facility. If you do not accept the first vacancy, you can be discharged home with support or discharged to the first available facility the social worker can find.

More information

We understand being in hospital is a stressful time and we are here to help make your stay here and transition home as comfortable as possible. Please talk to your treating team if you have any questions or concerns.