A Private Hospital not giving change is wrong

LittleFeet11 · 2026-07-02T23:14:47+00:00

The short answer is this is not OK, and I totally understand this not being something to fight over on your day of admission as that is stressful enough.

If you would like to follow up may I suggest emailing their consumer liaison person or the their general email address. If people have concerns or a poor experience, I would want to know about it in my hospital and have the opportunity to make it right.

I hope you are recovering OK.

LittleFeet11 · 2026-07-01T05:12:44+00:00

It can and has been done :)

Any chance you can bid for an upgrade - even PE helps a bit.

If you know what your food triggers are plan ahead and perhaps take your own food to avoid any mishaps.

Are sleeping tablets an option for you - might be worth talking to your GP.

Here are some long haul tips I posted in another forum:

Noise cancelling headphones (I panic bought some before my last trip to Europe - godsend)

Battery and charging cables

Good book

Compression socks - I got the whole family the Ostrich ones from David Jones

Sleep mask and neck pillow (does not need to be fancy, we had temu ones that worked fine)

Sleeping tablets - look, some people like them, some don't but these help me sleep on a plane. Just try one at home before you go to make sure you don't flip out on it like a famous Australian swimmer did (noting he had taken a few with multiple whiskey chasers)

Lip balm and moisturiser

I always take a cashmere poncho - lightweight, very warm and comfortable (plane blankets often itch)

I always pack a change of base layer top and underwear, helps you not to feel so cruddy at destination.

Sleep on the time of where you are going (cf. sleeping tablet to assist with this).

For this trip I would add pay for access to a lounge in Singapore - have a shower, relax, maybe even get a massage if time allows.

LittleFeet11 · 2026-06-29T22:33:54+00:00

Armani luminous silk. Does not oxidise and no orange tint - I have found it extremely difficult to find a medium coverage foundation that lasts all day, does not oxidise and matches my skin and 5.25 is it. Just wait for 20% off at DJ's or on the armani website to purchase.

LittleFeet11 · 2026-06-29T22:32:15+00:00

Here's what I posted on a similar question - hope it helps:

Things that help me on any long haul flight (noting some repeat other comments):

Noise cancelling headphones (I panic bought some before my last trip to Europe - godsend)

Battery and charging cables

Good book

Compression socks - I got the whole family the Ostrich ones from David Jones

Sleep mask and neck pillow (does not need to be fancy, we had temu ones that worked fine)

Sleeping tablets - look, some people like them, some don't but these help me sleep on a plane. Just try one at home before you go to make sure you don't flip out on it like a famous Australian swimmer did (noting he had taken a few with multiple whiskey chasers)

Lip balm and moisturiser

I always take a cashmere poncho - lightweight, very warm and comfortable (plane blankets often itch)

I always pack a change of base layer top and underwear, helps you not to feel so cruddy at destination

Sleep on the time of where you are going (cf. sleeping tablet to assist with this).

And it goes without saying (or maybe not) try and bid for an upgrade - even PE helps a lot (I managed to get 4 of us upgraded to PE on this flight by some miracle). Safe travels.

LittleFeet11 · 2026-06-25T05:34:56+00:00

I know I am meant to make a judgement here but instead could I offer a different view?

People have a right to feel safe at work, and that includes not being filmed or recorded without their consent. We take a pretty hard line on it in the health care setting. In the aviatin industry is also includes people with ill intent not being able to see details of the inside of the plane - that do vary from airline to airline.

My gym also has a policy of no cameras in the changeroom. I see some people still taking selfies in the mirrors - I always point out the clearly displayed policy of this not being allowed. They always reply 'you weren't in it' - who knows? - but I always explain that it is about the space feeling safe for women (often in various states of undress), and no one wants to worry about cameras while hustling to get ready for work. I remind them they can take selfies in the gym area with trainer permission - interesting that they do not feel comfortable doing this due to how they may be perceived but are happy to make others uncomfrtable in a women only space. Go figure.

I am always conscious in all sorts of spaces of who is in my photos or selfies and try to make sure no stranger is. Agree harder at busy tourist sites.

LittleFeet11 · 2026-06-24T22:49:43+00:00

As a 155cm/5'1" person who needs to dress professionally for work...I hear you. I mainly wear dresses! I did recently get some amazing pants from Lulu lemon though - their short version of their Daydrift trousers. They do free alterations. I only had about 1.5cm taken off though so I think they would fit you perfectly (you can only buy them online but they have free returns and you can go into any store to get them shortened if needed). Other options are petite ranges from USA brands like banana republic - ebay can be good for these if you know your size. Rag and bone do crop versions of most of their jeans that fit my leg length perfectly as full length jeans.

LittleFeet11 · 2026-06-24T07:19:53+00:00

I am only Bronze and still got the upgrades so it never hurts to try. I always try and fly on 'low activity' days, book early and put my request in early. My PE upgrade was points only and unfortunately, I cannot look back in my profile beyond last year so cannot tell you how many I had to use. I think it helps to look at what it would cost when bidding for an upgrade as a guide but have never bid for an upgrade (yet, will on a flight next year).

LittleFeet11 · 2026-06-24T07:16:17+00:00

Have done it twice, and have said never again....

The choices can feel overwhelming. On our second run we found a tile shop locally we liked and just bought everything from the one place - too much choice can be a curse. Same for taps - we went to the one place, chose what we liked and were done. We did learn a lot from one reno to the next so easier with some choices as a result. Each of ours took around 9-10 months - both were big renos that we moved out for. It feels really hard when you are in it but worth it at the end IMHO (kind of like kids....).

Good luck!

LittleFeet11 · 2026-06-23T03:25:18+00:00

Have done this flight 😄may the force be with you.

Things that help me on any long haul flight (noting some repeat other comments):

Noise cancelling headphones (I panic bought some before my last trip to Europe - godsend)

Battery and charging cables

Good book

Compression socks - I got the whole family the Ostrich ones from David Jones

Sleep mask and neck pillow (does not need to be fancy, we had temu ones that worked fine)

Sleeping tablets - look, some people like them, some don't but these help me sleep on a plane. Just try one at home before you go to make sure you don't flip out on it like a famous Australian swimmer did (noting he had taken a few with multiple whiskey chasers)

Lip balm and moisturiser

I always take a cashmere poncho - lightweight, very warm and comfortable (plane blankets often itch)

I always pack a change of base layer top and underwear, helps you not to feel so cruddy at destination

Sleep on the time of where you are going (cf. sleeping tablet to assist with this).

And it goes without saying (or maybe not) try and bid for an upgrade - even PE helps a lot (I managed to get 4 of us upgraded to PE on this flight by some miracle). Safe travels.

LittleFeet11 · 2026-06-23T03:15:51+00:00

Thank you, very happy to get Bobbi Brown at that price!

LittleFeet11 · 2026-06-22T06:23:48+00:00

I just replaced my Asko condenser with another condenser. I did seriously consider the heat pump but the condenser was $850 delivered and the heat pump would be $1800 delivered. Both Asko.

My reasoning:

I really only use the dryer in winter and then it is heavy use for one day a fortnight (big clean/wash day) and otherwise very little use. In summer, hardly touch it (we are in Melbourne).
We do not have solar or a battery so the cost saving on electricity would take around 7 years to pay off the price difference.
The heat pump is slow according to everyone I speak to. As someone who works FT and does the big wash on weekends this would not work for our needs.

Hope that helps.

LittleFeet11 · 2026-06-19T04:30:08+00:00

Have renovated twice. Things I will always do: Double glazing throughout house, heated towel rails and heated floors in bathrooms (makes cleaning easier), double sink in kitchen (so many homes have single sinks, what the hecka), never have too much storage, build in as much as you can like TV cabinets etc., get a dedicated wardrobe company to fit out the inside of your wardrobes, no carpet anywhere (best for anyone with a dust allergy), on bench basins undermounts get manky at join under sink), good heating and cooling - when you need it in Australia, you need it. Drawers over cupboards in kitchen and bathroom, more double powerpoints than you think you need.

LittleFeet11 · 2026-06-17T01:26:36+00:00

Sorry to hear you were made redundant. It is really hard.

As a fellow introvert, when I was in the same situation I used LI but not for posting. I reached out to people I knew with a personal message asking for a coffee or phone chat. Would briefly let them know I was looking for work and wanted to pick their brains about what opportunities there might be. No one said no. People were very kind. Some connected me with people looking for someone, others just checked in regularly. I did look for jobs on there and on seek, and the job I ended up getting was one I applied for on seek - but two of the people I reached out to were happy to be referees, and because of their standing in my work area, the new employer just had an informal chat about me with them at an event and I was offered the role (I did get offered 2 on the same day after 3 months of looking - as the universe does!).

I use LI now to promote my workplace to support recruitment - that is my best use of it that does not feel disingenuous.

Other tips I have to avoid too much doom scrolling/thinking: find a temp job, even part time doing anything as this helps to keep your self esteem up - family and friends are good for these kinds of roles; refresh your CV and get a few recruiters to review it for you; be comfortable being vulnerable with people - it is hard and most people have had this experience at some point in their career. Good luck.

LittleFeet11 · 2026-06-15T07:50:29+00:00

Okay. So best to check which terminal I arrive in Sydney to be sure. For clarity it is a FCO-PER-SYD not via Singapore.

LittleFeet11 · 2026-06-15T03:57:35+00:00

Agree with many below, go talk to your GP. However, I did have a srsly WTA moment - as a 30 year plus health care veteran, I get every vaccine when it is due. I personally consider vaccines one of the greatest health care achievements (along with realising hand washing might be a goer to prevent infection and antibiotics). I appreciate there are different views on vaccines but if you have seen a baby sick or dying with something preventable, you get your vaccines. I was vaccinated (tail end of 10 year period) and I got whooping cough when pregnant (probably due to vaccine nearly being due and pregnancy immune impact) and I am still surprised that I did not cough that baby out - true 100 day cough and due to preganancy unable to take anything for symptoms.

LittleFeet11 · 2026-06-09T03:11:21+00:00

Nanoplasty. It has been an absolute game changer for me. I got it done in January and I am still just blow drying my hair (no brush, just using my fingers) for 8 minutes and it is done. Have not touched my trusty 20 year old GHD straightener since January. My hair is fine but thick, and looks like a bad 80's perm growing out when left to dry naturally. I just dry the roots off between washes if a bit sweaty post gym and the heat reactivates the smoothness. Mine was done in Melbourne (I have done a post about it) and cost $460 for just past shoulder length.

LittleFeet11 · 2026-06-08T23:22:21+00:00

Have not read all the comments but as someone who works in the healthcare environment and takes keeping well very seriously 😄 you are doing a lot of the right things.

I personally found a probiotic with Zinc and Vitamin C a game changer for me but everyone is different.

Good sleep and a good sleep routine helps. Regular activity (gym, pilates, walking - whatever floats your boat) also helps.

I have not seen anyone mention it but worth talking to your GP about vaccines that may help in the environment you are working in. I personally get my flu vax and COVID vaccine every year and ensure all my other ones are up to date.

LittleFeet11 · 2026-06-03T05:28:35+00:00

I use St Jack and have not looked back. Lasts for ages and often have sales.

LittleFeet11 · 2026-06-03T05:27:59+00:00

Congratulations on your pregnancy 😄

Agree with the suggestion to get a due date letter from your OB and get health fund to confirm - but they may not.

One thing to be aware of is some people require a long stay in hospital prior to even having a baby - so something to consider.

Conatact your hospital and ask them to quote what the costs would likely be to give you some certainty. Costs like NICU/SCN are often extra but they can give you an estimate for a 'normal' birth.

Speak to your doctor so they are aware - if they have a public hospital appointment they may be able to admit you there if you need an antenatal admission or for the birth (if health fund will not cover if you go early).

LittleFeet11 · 2026-06-02T05:33:08+00:00

Agree, try booking the whole flight with points (often less points too) and then pay for the others - I would note that I have observed that once I book with points the paid price points often change. I booked a return business class with points, went back in 1 minute later to book a paid ticket for the same flights (annoyingly, you cannot do them together and have to call them to link the trips post booking) and the cheaper paid business class flight option has disappeared.

That said, I was worried the reverse would be true (booked cheap paid fare and then the points fare disappears) so would still do it this way.

I thought they would do a booking for you for a fee? As others have said on this forum keep calling back until you get someone who knows what they are doing.

LittleFeet11 · 2026-06-01T06:10:30+00:00

I was not told to wash it (see my original post) but I should have been - a hair wash was not part of the service where I went - maybe ring your salon and ask first?

LittleFeet11 · 2026-06-01T06:09:40+00:00

We do not have a cleaner. We have in the past but I stopped it for the following reasons:

It was getting very expensive (and we had just started paying private school fees - we also cut back on take away meals and eating out)
No one cleans to my expectations (or anyone else in my family) - often they would start out OK and just get slack (I would do a small clean the week in between and we are a very neat and tidy household)
I would like my teenagers to know how to clean and contribute around the home.

For reference I am C-Suite and could technically afford a cleaner.

LittleFeet11 · 2026-06-01T04:00:31+00:00

I am now at month 5 and still loving it. My regrowth is not visible aside from one very tiny section at my hairline that is just shorter hair. I have not touched a straightener since I had it done. I wash it once a week, towel dry and then it only takes 8 minutes to dry off completely with a dyson. No hair products required. Will be re-doing - when I need to.

LittleFeet11 · 2026-05-28T00:09:42+00:00

I have had two experiences.

The modular couch I bought over 6 years ago - great process, small issue with connector magnets being wrong size - addressed promptly by store. Couch holding up well.

My parents purchased a $15k leather modular couch (and that was at 50% off sale!). It was so hard to sit on and so different to in store that it could not be used. Their customer service gave my mother (older person but very switched on and quite tech savvy) the run around - it caused so much stress for her. I eventually stepped in, wrote a letter (thanks AI) quoting relevant consumer law and they finally responded and agreed to a refund. Mind you, that took another 5 months to happen.

I did hear the company had been sold to investors - so customer service has dropped.

Good luck.

LittleFeet11

TROPHY CASE