SURGICAL NEWS
8 The Ramsay Way 2019 | 04
Pindara Private Hospital
launches a tiny car for
children’s surgery
Pindara Private Hospital (PPH) has launched a Tiny Car program for
paediatric patients, which allows children to drive themselves between the
pre-operative area and operating theatre.
The aim of the program is to reduce the stress and fear around surgery for children and their
parents. It is part of PPH’s ongoing efforts to make any hospital visit as comfortable and stress-free
as possible.
Anaesthetist Dr Tony McDougall said it is a great opportunity for the hospital to demonstrate
it listens to its patients, taking not only their physical health into account, but their emotional
health and wellbeing as well.
“At Pindara Private Hospital we are focused on delivering the best outcomes for all of our
patients. Not only do we want the surgical experience to be as comfortable as possible, but
we value the health and wellbeing of our patients at every level,” Dr McDougall said.
“Over the years, we’ve recognised that for many children and their families, the unknown of
surgery can be a frightening, stressful and often daunting experience. Through this Tiny Car
program, we want to remove some of this fear.”
Tiny Car program coordinator and Assistant
Director of Clinical Services at PPH, Tracey Clark,
said the program demonstrates the commitment
Ramsay Health Care has to all patients and
customers who come through its doors.
“The Tiny Car program is the perfect addition
to our repertoire of stress management tools to
support our young patients and their parents at
times when they need it most,” Mrs Clark said.
“We want to be leaders in the space of patient
care, and that involves maximising the comfort
had by all of our patients.”
The Tiny Car program builds on PPH’s
comprehensive private paediatric service
adding to its dedicated, purpose built paediatric
ward and ability to accept and care for children
through its private Emergency Department.
The initiative is also part of PPH’s future-focused
approach to patient care.
ROSA robot joins the ranks at
Westmead Private Hospital
Orthopaedic surgeons at Westmead Private Hospital now have access to a new ROSA robotic total knee
replacement system.
The ROSA offers a combination of cutting-edge
technologies including computer navigation, soft tissue
balancing, 3D modelling and robotics – all in one package.
Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Edward Graham said: “As
orthopaedic surgeons, we are always trying to improve
patient outcomes and the survivorship of implants. Robotic
technologies have been developed with the aim of
improving surgical precision, component alignment and soft
tissue balance with the expectation that this will improve
patient outcomes.”
“While the early results of robotic assisted surgery are
encouraging, it will take many years to see if the potential
benefits of improved alignment and balance are realised.
I am very excited that we now have access to this
technology here at Westmead Private and look forward
to realising its potential,” Dr Graham said.
Westmead Private Hospital CEO, Mike Flatley, said the
ROSA was the latest robot to join the hospital’s fleet of
robotic surgical systems, including the da Vinci and Mazor.
“With Australians requesting knee replacements at an
all-time high – 57,000 in 2018 alone across Australia – it
is extremely exciting to be able to make this technology
available to our patients,” Mr Flatley said.
Westmead Private Hospital is proud to be a leader in robotic
surgery, having undertaken more than 1,350 robotic cases
since 2013.
It operates a multi-specialty robotic program with world-class
surgeons who continue to push the limits of this
technology to help redefine minimally-invasive surgery.
“We are committed to providing the best in health care,
offering surgical options that achieve the most optimal
outcomes for our patients,” Mr Flatley said.