MEDICAL SOCIAL WORK OFFICE
To give patients peace of mind, a full-time medical social worker (MSW) with certified social worker qualifications is on staff to assist you with your social, economic and psychological problems. The MSW can assist you in either Japanese or in English. Please be assured that this office maintains strict medical confidentiality.
If you wish to visit our hospital, be hospitalized or be transferred, please contact the Medical Social Work Office. The MSW will promptly respond to inquiries from patients, families, care managers, medical institutions, facilities, etc.
Is there a problem with our outpatient care or hospitalization?
The Medical Social Work Office will support you within and outside the hospital.
- Long-term care insurance system
- Physical disability certificate
- Various applications for public welfare assistance
- Eligibility Certificate for Ceiling-Amount Application
By presenting the "Eligibility Certificate for Ceiling-Amount Application" at the reception desk when you are hospitalized, the out-of-pocket amount (excluding non-insurance medical expenses and food expenses) paid to the medical institution will be fixed based on income.
- Adult guardianship & Voluntary guardianship
- Various systems independently implemented by Sapporo City (meal delivery service, adult diaper distribution service, garbage collection, etc.)
- Other systems
- Introduction to medical treatment options such as continuous rehabilitation after discharge
- Introduction to medical treatment destinations (hospitals, various facilities, housing for the elderly, etc.) when medical treatment at home becomes difficult
- Advice on various service adjustments considering the patient's lifestyle
- Arrangements when welfare equipment (wheelchairs, homecare beds, portable restrooms) is needed
- Other
- Provide outpatient / hospitalization (in English) interpretation
- Provide English translation of various documents
- Create an English medical certificate
- Provide medical metal implant certification
- Provide procedure support for government offices
- Provide procedure support if you return to your own country
- Arrange multi-lingual interpreters for people who do not speak either Japanese or English
- Other
- Cooperate with local institutions to provide smooth medical care for outpatients
- Before discharge, we will hold a conference to share information among patients, families, care managers, and our staff, aiming for a smooth and safe discharge.
- Cooperate with care managers, various counselors, public health nurses, welfare workers, etc.
- Cooperate with other medical institutions, government welfare offices, various facilities, and independent pharmacies
- other
If you want to see a doctor or be hospitalized, but find it difficult to pay medical expenses, please contact the MSW.
We work with your local welfare department.
We will assist the patient in choosing the best payment method.
If you have any problems, such as vague anxiety, please contact the MSW. This could be the first step in solving the problem.
- ”Injury has hindered my life…” We will recommend the available social services.
- ”I have anxiety about taking a break from school or work…” We will work with your school or place of employment.
- ”I have vague anxiety.”
- Complaints about and recommendations for our hospital
- other
The Medical Social Work Office is located on the 3rd floor (inside the ward) and is open on weekdays from 8:30 to 17:15 (Reception hours: 8:30-17:00).
If you would like to meet with the MSW, please come directly to the Medical Social Work Office.
The outpatient department or ward staff can also help you connect with the MSW. In addition, appointments may be made by telephone.
※Currently, due to the COVID-19 epidemic, only inpatients are allowed to come directly to the Medical Social Work Office. If you would like a consultation, please call the Medical Social Worker directly or inform the reception desk on the ground floor that you would like to consult with the Medical Social Worker.