Page 4

The Ramsay Way Spring 2013

ABOVE: The Right Worshipful, The Lord Mayor of Parramatta, Councillor John Chedid officially opened the Western Sydney Private Oncology & Infusion Centre on Thursday 22nd August. This purpose built centre will support the growing demand for oncology & infusion services in Sydney’s West. 4 TRW SPRING 2013 Ramsay opens new Oncology Unit in West Sydney New Mental Health Services for Macarthur Ocial & Stationery version Operating throughout build at Strathfield Private Western Sydney Private Oncology & Infusion Centre Web & Signage version A new oncology unit for the western Sydney community was opened by Ramsay Health Care in July with an official opening ceremony held in August. The unit will support the growing demand for oncology and infusion services in Sydney’s west. The purpose-built facility is located within Westmead Specialist Centre, on the grounds of Westmead Private Hospital and features spacious and modern treatment areas. The room is bathed in natural light and features spacious yet discrete treatment bays, modern décor, comfortable reclining electric treatment chairs, access to wireless internet, Foxtel and flat TV screens. The new facilities will double the capacity of the current private oncology & infusion services at Westmead Private Hospital giving patients more comfort and space as they deal with what is a challenging time in their lives. “The wonderful team of dedicated clinical staff, whom many oncology patients from the West have come to know and admire over the years, will be transferring to this new unit,” said Michael Cresp, Nursing Unit Manager. The new facility also includes consulting suites for specialist oncologists. Renovations at Strathfield Private Hospital are well under way with the pouring of the slab now complete. The redevelopment includes two new operating theatres (one hybrid) and a new 12 bed recovery unit. Strathfield Director of Clinical Services Grant Frecklington said the ability to continue to operate to almost full capacity throughout the building phase was quite unique. “The hospital has lost 15 overnight beds for five months to accommodate the concrete slab which had to be poured on top of our existing building. “This has been no mean feat from the team at Fugen who have worked with the hospital to allow minimal disruption to our daily activity. The existing roof needed to be 60 percent rebuilt to allow formwork to be constructed under a waterproof barrier.” The next stage of the build is to relocate Recovery and Day Surgery temporarily to allow the new roof to be built onto the existing building. “Staff, VMOs and patients have been very accommodating with the noise that accompanies any major build,” Grant said. The building works are expected to be complete in March 2014. Ramsay Health Care, Australia’s largest provider of private mental health services, has announced it will open Northside Macarthur Clinic in October 2013. Northside Macarthur Clinic will provide comprehensive mental health services to the community of Macarthur, treating patients with general and acute mental health disorders. The Clinic joins Ramsay’s Northside Group of Clinics, which is a well-known leader in the treatment of mental health disorders, with three hospitals in Sydney located in Wentworthville, Greenwich and Cremorne. Campbelltown psychiatrist, Dr Angelo Virgona, who plans to move his practice to the new Clinic, said mental illness was an increasing problem in the community and the new facility would enable more timely access to comprehensive services. “We expect this new facility will provide much needed services for patients suffering with mental illness in the Macarthur region, particularly following the closure of Campbelltown Private’s psychiatric unit in June which has left the district vastly underserviced,” Dr Virgona said. “Due to Ramsay’s reputation in the field of psychiatry we have also been able to attract more psychiatrists to the new Clinic and we are delighted that six experienced and highly recommended psychiatrists will start in the Clinic when it opens in October.” Patients will be referred to the Clinic following assessment by general practitioners and admitted to the Clinic under the care of consultant psychiatrists. Care will also be provided by a team of specialist nursing staff, psychologists and other allied health professionals. The development currently underway will also provide an employment boost for the community with Ramsay Health Care currently seeking staff for the new facility. The Northside Group CEO, Anne Mortimer said: “This is a very exciting development for Campbelltown and the whole Macarthur region. Private mental health services are poorly lacking in this region and sufferers of mental health disorders will benefit greatly from this new facility”. Renovations on the roof of Strathfield Private Hospital have got underway without disrupting normal hospital activity. DEVELOPMENTS Services available to patients include: • chemotherapy • haematological treatments • iron infusions • blood transfusions • specialist drug infusions


The Ramsay Way Spring 2013
To see the actual publication please follow the link above