2020
The Ramsay Way
Ramsay Health Care responds to coronavirus pandemic
As Australia’s health industry continues to grapple with extremely challenging circumstances caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic,
Ramsay Health Care has been working hard to lead its staff, doctors and other health care partners through this unprecedented time, while aiming
to limit the impacts on its patients as much as possible.
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Ramsay Health Care Corporate Newsletter
Paul Ramsay Foundation announces $9 million to conquer coronavirus
Ramsay Health Care is pleased to share the Paul Ramsay Foundation (PRF) has allocated $9 million to help control and contain COVID-19.
The funding includes $3.5 million to assist the University
of Queensland to fast-track the development of a
COVID-19 vaccine.
PRF will also provide a grant of up to $2 million for a passive
immunisation approach, which could provide a crucial interim
treatment for health workers exposed to coronavirus.
The development of a short-term immunisation would be an
important win in the global fight against COVID-19.
It would allow frontline staff – such as nurses and doctors – to
continue treating patients even in the worst-care scenario.
PRF CEO, Professor Glyn Davis AC, said that it was incumbent on
the Foundation to support efforts to control and contain the virus.
“Vulnerable communities are hit hardest in times of crisis and
that is why we have announced today our phase one response
to the pandemic which will assist in accelerating work to find a
vaccine and other treatments,” Professor Davis said.
“While the COVID-19 virus has understandably dominated the
news and affected lives and livelihoods around the world, we
believe our work to assist fire-ravaged and drought-affected
communities should continue along
with the COVID-19 grants we are announcing today,” Professor
Davis said.
Summary of $9 million in grants approved by the PRF’s
board of directors:
1. Vaccine trial and production
A grant of $3.5 million to the University of Queensland
to accelerate development of a COVID-19 vaccine. The
grant is part of a $23.5 million program to finance the
vaccine development.
2. Short-term anti-body passive immunisation
Short-term anti-body passive immunisation A grant
of up to $2 million to the Peter Doherty Institute for
development of a passive immunisation treatment to
protect against Covid-19. If successful, the treatment
would involve production and injection of anti-bodies
to provide immediate protection against infection,
but which must be renewed every two months. This
passive immunisation approach may provide an interim
treatment for those exposed to COVID-19 should the
vaccine require more time to develop. Importantly, it
would enable medical and nursing staff to continue
to work amid exposure to Covid-19, meaning health
systems could sustain service through even the worst-case
outbreak.
3. Targeted responses for high-risk communities
A grant of up to $2 million through the Peter Doherty
Institute to the Australian Partnership for Preparedness
Research on Infectious Disease Emergencies (APPRISE).
This will support the development of effective responses
to Covid-19 for high-risk communities, particularly
Indigenous populations. The spread of Covid-19 poses
particular risks for isolated Indigenous communities.
These communities and populations already face higher
risks of poor health outcomes.
4. Support for existing Paul Ramsay Foundation partners
Up to $1.5 million in contingency funding to support
existing partners whose work is immediately impacted
by the economic effects of COVID-19. In early January
2020, the Paul Ramsay Foundation announced a $30
million commitment to support the bushfire recovery.
An initial $3 million was provided for immediate relief
while the remaining $27 million was earmarked for
longer-term work
with fire-affected
communities.
Ramsay Australia CEO, Danny Sims, said while the situation was unpredictable and constantly
changing, the company was focused on continuing to provide world-class health care and
maximising the preparedness of facilities to assist with the effects of COVID-19 on Australia’s
health system.
“It has become more important than ever that health care providers – both public and private –
work together to navigate the community through this crisis,” Mr Sims said.
“I want to recognise the important contributions all our staff and doctors are all making every day
during this extremely challenging time in Australia,” he said.
“Thank you for your strength, your resilience and for upholding the philosophy of ‘People Caring
For People’ as you go about your work.”
“Above all else, your wellbeing and the wellbeing of our patients is the most important priority
for us, and we are working hard to ensure this remains our focus during an unprecedented and
rapidly evolving situation.”
Ramsay Health Care established a COVID-19 response team to closely monitor and proactively
respond to updates from the Australian Department of Health and local Public Health Units.
All Ramsay facilities have implemented
additional strict safety and infection
control measures to continue protecting
patients, health care workers and visitors
during the COVID-19 situation. As the
number of confirmed cases in Australia
increased, Ramsay Health Care took
precautions to restrict the number of
visitors entering its hospitals. Ramsay’s
procurement teams have also been
working to ensure ongoing supply levels
of PPE by educating staff on how to wear
and remove the equipment appropriately,
particularly in operating theatres and
critical care areas.
Mr Sims said amid the uncertainty, it was heart-warming to see examples of Australians supporting
one another, including those whose businesses and livelihoods have been hit hard by the effects
of the COVID-19 situation.
“Within the health care industry there has also been a very well-deserved groundswell of support
for our frontline workers, including nurses and doctors,” he said.
Ramsay facilities, such as Wollongong Private Hospital, have undertaken initiatives to express
gratitude to their health care workers while simultaneously supporting local businesses.
Wollongong Private Hospital CEO, David Crowe, bought hundreds of burgers to thank the hospital
staff, while also providing business to a local restaurant during difficult circumstances.
Wollongong Private Hospital CEO David Crowe orders 200 burgers to thank hospital staff
while supporting a local business. Photo credit: Illawarra Mercury.
COVID-19
Greenslopes Private Hospital’s emergency department staff hold
signs which say: “We stay at work for you; please stay at home for us”