News

Paediatric Unit an exciting step for MBH

Wed, 04 Apr 2018 11:25:00

Development of a new 3.8-million-dollar Paediatric Unit at Mildura Base Hospital will allow a “child and family-centred” model of care for the hospital’s youngest patients and their families.

Mildura Base Hospital Chief Executive Officer Julia Morgan said the Paediatric project was one of two successful funding applications by the hospital to the Victorian Government’s Regional Health Infrastructure Fund, announced today.
“Paediatric Care is quite different to adult patient care,” Ms Morgan said. 
“Our current ward structure means our young patients may be located near adults which is not idea,” she said
“A new, dedicated Paediatric ward will not only add additional in-patient beds, it will allow us to provide a family-centred model of care in a more supportive environment for children and their families.”
Ms Morgan said the development will be in the courtyard area adjoining the Maternity Ward and would mean the new eight-bed Paediatrics Unit is co-located with the 6 bed Special Care Nursery.
“We have a fantastic team of nursing staff who provide an exceptional level of care for our sick children,” Ms Morgan said. 
“The ability to develop, for the first time, a dedicated paediatric-neonatal roster will allow these staff to hone their paediatric skills even further through increased educational opportunities.   It will also improve our ability to attract and retain highly skilled medical staff,” she said.
“We are very fortunate to have four highly-experienced Paediatric Specialists working at the hospital, supported by a passionate junior medical workforce. 
“Our longer-term goal is to eventually develop a 24-hour onsite Paediatric Registrar position, which would meet a higher level of accreditation from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in caring for our youngest patients and reduce the need to transfer to hospitals in Melbourne and Adelaide. 
“Ramsay Health Care’s focus is always to increase the services we provide to our community and the new development will certainly support this”
A separate $300,000 allocation from the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund will allow the replacement of aging operating tables and lights within the hospital theatres.
The new tables increase the capacity for heavier patients, meaning potentially fewer transfers for surgery.  They will also reduce the need to manually shift unconscious patients into position on the operating tables.
The latest development continues a busy three years for infrastructure development at the hospital, which increases hospital service capacity by at total of 33 beds.
A $4.5 million allocation from the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund last year allowed the expansion of the MBH Intensive Care Unit and redevelopment of the Mental Health Unit.
It followed on from a $4.5m Prevention and Recovery Unity in 2017 and $15 million capital investment in Obstetrics, Mental Health, the Emergency Department and doctor accommodation, completed in 2015.