RAMSAY AUSTRALIA
CEO MESSAGE
In this edition of
The Ramsay Way,
there are a number of
great stories on the
innovation and research
initiatives that are taking
place right across the
Company.
Our innovation lab is
up and running in Head Office and we look
forward to showcasing the work of this
innovation unit in upcoming webinars and
newsletters, to staff across the company as
well as on our new portal, Ramsaypedia. The
Unit has already reviewed over 100 ideas
in just a short period since it launched and
will aim to curate and prioritise problems,
ideas and technologies which may benefit
Ramsay Health Care. We are looking to
ensure we embed a culture of innovation
in the Company and to this end we want all
our employees from executives through to
frontline staff to become involved.
The Ramsay Hospital Research Foundation
is progressing some major groundbreaking
research that is also highlighted in this
edition. Our mental health study will be the
first in the country to look at patient reported
outcomes in mental health, specifically for
depression and anxiety. It is very important
that we measure outcome after treatment
– so we can understand what works and
what doesn’t. Thank you to the hospitals
participating in this research.
Our brownfield hospital development
program is also moving ahead - more
than $170 million worth of projects were
completed last financial year including a new
replacement facility for Northside Clinic. In
the coming year, our development program
will deliver another $242 million worth of
completed projects. This is all part of meeting
the future demand of an ageing and growing
population as well as differentiating our
services for the long term.
As a nation, we have recently been moved by
the plight of farming communities who are
grappling with the effects of a devastating
drought. I am pleased to announce that
Ramsay Health Care will be contributing to
relief efforts to help alleviate some of the
burden our farmers and their families are
carrying.
For a six month period between October and
March next year, Ramsay facilities will waive
hospital excess fees and provide support for
travelling costs to make it easier for farmers
and primary producers to access the health
care treatments they need, when and where
they need it. Additionally, we will also deliver
mental health assistance to local farming
communities, and hold staff lunches in
Ramsay facilities across the country to raise
money for the Rural Aid charity. Ramsay
Health Care plans to match the funds raised
by our hospitals at these lunches held in
early September.
Danny Sims
CEO, Ramsay Australia
| 03
2 The Ramsay Way 2018 03
$64 million development
opens at St Andrew’s Ipswich
A new development which almost doubles the size
of St Andrew’s Ipswich Private Hospital has now
been completed.
The $64 million project will provide patients of the Ipswich
and West Moreton Region with timely and adequate access
to private health care services.
The development includes the region’s first private
Emergency Department, eliminating the need for patients to
travel out of region to access private emergency care.
Patients will benefit from a new Intensive Care Unit and two
additional operating theatres. 81 extra private patient rooms
will increase the hospital’s capacity from 97 to 178 beds.
A new front entrance, expanded reception areas and
a Ramsay Health Care Pharmacy are also part of the
development. A new multi-deck car park also provides
plenty of on-campus parking, promoting easy access to
the hospital.
Maternity and Paediatric services were at the forefront of
development plans; with a predicted 5% population growth
to occur within the region by 2031. A new 26 bed Women
and Children’s Services Ward provides young families with
quality private obstetric and paediatric services locally,
supported by three new labour delivery suites.
Patients requiring rehabilitation services will also benefit
from the project, with the hospital redesign facilitating
the provision of a new 21 bed Rehabilitation Ward with an
onsite gymnasium. St Andrew’s Infusion Centre has also
experienced growth with three additional treatment chairs,
and more convenient access to St Andrew’s Infusion Centre
Consulting Room.
CEO Mrs Jude Emmer said the new development has
positioned St Andrew’s Ipswich to be the leading provider
of comprehensive private health care services within the
Ipswich and West Moreton Region.
“We’re proud to afford patients the choice of accessing
private hospital care locally. Patients will no longer need to
travel out of region to receive quality private medical care or
to access emergency treatment.”
“Completion of this project has seen St Andrew’s Ipswich
honour its commitment to providing quality health care
services within the region. The establishment of the new
Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit ensures
that the hospital is able to grow with, and meet the changing
health care needs of the region.”
Mrs Emmer said completion of the new development
will create numerous clinical and hospital service roles.
This will attract new specialists to the region and provide
opportunities for skilled healthcare professionals to live and
work locally.
“Further expansion of services will include the provision of a
new Renal Dialysis Unit, due for completion in late October.
This new development will provide additional roles for the
local clinical workforce and ensure our patients’ healthcare
needs are met now, and into the future.”
Australian-first technology
to detect heart failure early
A cardiologist from Peninsula Private Hospital was the first person
in Australia to commercially implant a revolutionary pressure-sensing
device that is used for the early detection of heart failure.
Dr Olivier van den Brink, an
interventional heart failure specialist,
performed the procedure using the
CardioMEMS HF system in May 2018.
The technology has a tiny sensor that
is inserted into the pulmonary artery. It
also has a home unit about the shape of
a queen-size pillow that allows a patient
to wirelessly send their pulmonary
artery pressure readings directly to their
Heart Failure team for review.
Heart failure is a long-term condition
in which the heart muscle can’t
pump enough oxygen-rich blood to
meet the body’s needs. Signs and
symptoms of heart failure can include
swelling of the feet, ankles and legs,
shortness of breath, weight gain and
an overly tired feeling.
The Peninsula Heart Centre’s Heart
Failure team, headed by ICU-trained
registered nurse Kerry Forsyth, can
use the CardioMEMS HF system to
detect changes before the patient
notices any symptoms.
This means the Heart Failure team
can intervene and recommend
lifestyle and medication changes
earlier, keeping patients feeling well
and out of hospital.