New respiratory ward helping ease the strain on south metropolitan hospitals
Fremantle Hospital’s (FH) new respiratory ward is boosting care delivery to patients in the south metropolitan region.
Respiratory concerns is one of the most common reasons for attending the emergency department (ED) in Australia, accounting for about six per cent of all presentations. With COVID-19’s long term effects continuing to impact our community, presentations for respiratory reasons are only growing.
The new respiratory ward comprising of 12 beds, including four beds with oxygen saturation monitoring equipment, is used to care for patients whose primary concern is a respiratory condition, such as lower respiratory tract infections and pneumonia.
FH Clinical Nurse Specialist Sinead McCarthy, said the new respiratory ward is already helping to ease the pressure on Fiona Stanley Hospital’s respiratory wards, by allowing patients to be cared for in the most appropriate location in the Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospital Group (FSFHG).
“The demand for inpatient beds is high, especially for respiratory patients during the cooler months,” Sinead said.
“The ward at FH is equipped for patients who need respiratory care but do not necessarily require the higher-level sub-specialist services at Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH), freeing up the FSH beds for those who need that extra care.
“Our team has had excellent feedback from D5 patients so far, saying their extensive knowledge and friendly demeanours do not go unnoticed.”
Executive Director Fiona FSFHG Kellie Blyth explained, FH still plays a key role for patient care and outcomes.
“Many people think Fremantle Hospital is providing minimal services, but they couldn’t be further from the truth,” Kellie explained.
“Fremantle Hospital recently celebrated its 125th birthday and continues to play a major part in supporting our health system through providing specialist aged care, mental health, rehabilitation and surgical services.”
This is just one recent development at FH with SMHS’ brand new ophthalmology unit also opening later this month, making space for a 40-bed mental health expansion due to open in 2024.
The recruitment pool is still open for registered nurses to join the FH D5 Respiratory team. Apply (external site) before 4:00pm Wednesday 14 September.
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