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The Ramsay Way Autumn 2013

Tamara set to start Rehab A million dollar rehabilitation unit is set to open shortly at Tamara Private Hospital, providing state-of-the art facilities to patients in Tamworth and the wider northern NSW catchment region. AUTUMN 2013 TRW 7 Pindara Private Hospital on the Gold Coast is a step closer to becoming a centre of excellence in neurosurgery with the commencement of a post graduate certificate course to train specialist neurosurgery nurses. The Australian Catholic University has confirmed they will offer a post graduate certificate in neurosurgery nursing in partnership with Pindara Private Hospital. This makes Pindara the first Ramsay facility to offer a tertiary neurosurgical education program for nurses. Pindara’s neurosurgery unit opened almost two years ago and at the time was one of the few private dedicated neurosurgery units in the country. The Hospital recruited a highly experienced team of specialist neurosurgery nurses and five of the Gold Coast’s leading private neurosurgeons, doctors Leong Tan, Teresa Withers, Neil Cochrane, Ellison Stephenson and Paul Poulgrain to run the Unit. From day one, the team’s aim was to become a centre of excellence in neurosurgery. Best practice procedures and standards were successfully integrated to ensure the team delivered the highest standard of care, to their special needs patients. Part of the team’s vision was to offer specialist neurosurgery nurse training. Pindara Staff Development Manager, Ian McGregor facilitated the development of the course and was instrumental in preparing and developing the course structure which consists of four subjects - two to be provided through the Australian Catholic University and the remaining two to be completed at Pindara. “This program is also paving the way for us to offer further post graduate qualifications in other specialties here at Pindara,” Ian said. L-R: Pindara Neurosurgery nursing staff Emily Raymond (RN), Kylie Crocker Nurse Unit Manager, & Candice Higgins (RN) discuss the new post graduate course with Neurosurgeon Dr Leong Tan. Inset: Pindara Staff Development Manager Ian McGregor. L-R: Sris Baskaranathan, Clinical Nurse Maggie McCloughlin, Syd Weinstein, Clinical Nurse Linda Aitken & Craig Waters. Pindara leads the way in neurosurgical education New Green Light for Hollywood Hollywood Private Hospital remains at the forefront of urology care in WA with the acquisition of the new 180 Watt GreenLight XPS Laser. Hollywood Private Hospital is the first in the state to use the new 180 Watt GreenLight XPS Laser, successfully treating two patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Since the hospital acquired its first GreenLight 120 Watt HPS Laser machine in 2010, it has been offering the state-of-the-art surgical treatment for men with urinary problems caused by benign enlargement of the prostate gland. During this time, Hollywood Private Hospital has treated over 250 men and is the only hospital in the state, to date, to offer this treatment. The acquisition of the new model means treatment will take significantly less time as the 180 Watt GreenLight XPS has fifty percent more power than the previous 120 Watt model. Mr Syd Weinstein, one of three Urology specialists at Hollywood trained in the use of this technology along with Mr Sris Baskaranathan and Mr Craig Waters, says the acquisition of the latest 180 Watt XPS model, will provide significant advantages for patients requiring surgery for an enlarged benign prostate gland. The latest technology, compared to the previous model, allows larger prostate glands to be treated in a shorter period of time whilst providing all the advantages of GreenLight Laser surgery. These advantages include being able to operate on patients on blood thinners, fewer post-operative bleeding complications, less fluid absorption during surgery, a shorter hospital stay and a quicker return to work. Director of Medical Services Dr Margaret Sturdy said Hollywood Private Hospital is committed to remaining at the forefront of urological expertise and technology in the state. “Hollywood Private Hospital is proud to provide a robust urological service. Providing GreenLight Laser Therapy means we are able to offer our patients who suffer benign prostatic hyperplasia a less invasive surgical alternative that is just as effective but has fewer side effects,” said Dr Sturdy. The new unit will offer a full range of inpatient rehabilitation programs including services for people recovering from a stroke, an accident, major or minor surgery or any condition where there is a need to improve tolerance, strength, pain relief or functional ability. The 18 bed unit includes active daily living spaces and a well-equipped gym. Tamara Private Hospital CEO Annette Arthur said there was currently no private rehabilitation service available in the wider Tamworth region and this unit would service a large and ageing population, providing an essential health service for isolated rural communities in this wider region. “Patients in this region who have their surgery elsewhere are currently forced to access rehabilitation services away from home in a metropolitan or regional centres. In offering this service in Tamworth, they will be able to recover from their surgery close to home,” Ms Arthur said. “The service will also enable the recruitment and placement of further trainee physicians, allied health members and nurses and will complement existing services and infrastructure already in place at Tamara.”


The Ramsay Way Autumn 2013
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