A new six-bed surge unit to use during periods of high demand will soon be available at Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital.
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Member for South Coast, Shelley Hancock and Member for Kiama Gareth Ward today announced a $100,000 cash injection, which will fund the first stage of a new surge unit and an upgraded trauma bed for the emergency department resuscitation room.
Mrs Hancock said the funding complemented more than $50 million in capital expenditure on the Shoalhaven Hospital campus in the last five years, including a recent $1.8 million expansion of the emergency department. The funding was also in addition to the $10 million parking upgrade and funding committed in this year’s budget to progress the upgrade of the hospital.
“Shoalhaven hospital is a busy facility that sees surges during holiday seasons. This investment will help ensure patients are seen as soon as possible,” Mrs Hancock said.
Thew most recent Bureau of Health Information’s (BHI) Healthcare Quarterly report identified that demand increased at Shoalhaven hospital during the summer months, with more than 10,000 patients presenting at the hospital from January to March.
Mr Ward said the establishment of a new surge unit would enable the hospital to bolster its escalation processes during peaks in demand so that efficient, timely treatment could be provided to local patients.
“We’re proud to deliver this important addition of a further six inpatient beds and a trauma bed to better support our hard working doctors and nurses,” Mr Ward said.
Stage one of the reconfiguration works will be complete by June 30 and include the purchase of equipment and design of a new six-bed surge unit in an area adjacent to the emergency department (ED).
Stage two will be completed early in the 2018/19 financial year and will involve the associated building works and complete fit out of the new unit.
The investment will also fund a new $25,000 trauma bed for the Shoalhaven Hospital ED.
This specialised equipment will provide clinicians with better access to patients in an emergency resuscitation situation and enables more timely and effective treatment.