Reducing hospital pressure through surgery support centre

A Surgery Support Centre will be made available to patients preparing for surgery easing hospital pressure.

Patients preparing for or recuperating from surgery will be cared for in a quiet, home-like environment as part of an NSW pilot Surgery Support Centre based on overseas models of excellence in patient care.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said a trial by Royal Prince Alfred Hospital will enable some patients to be transferred to a nearby Surgery Support Centre, allowing for quicker discharges from the ward.

“The NSW Government has invested almost $1 billion to reduce elective surgery wait times that were delayed due to the pandemic response,” Perrottet said.

“Similar centres overseas have been a huge success, helping hospitals to get more surgery done while also offering patients a quieter place to recuperate.”

The Surgery Support Centre provides one and two-bedroom serviced apartments staffed by a specialty community nursing team. A medically led, virtual multi-disciplinary team is available to provide 24/7 care and patients can be easily transferred to and from the hospital for appointments with specialists.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the rooms, with their own ensuite, living area and balcony, will be particularly beneficial for patients from regional areas, who may want someone to stay with them.

“We are always looking for innovative ways to provide the very best care to hospital patients and this first-of-a-kind centre for NSW offers the best of both worlds – a comfortable, home-like environment for patients that frees up beds for acute care services,” Hazzard said.

“Not only are patients supported around the clock, but the accommodation can also provide a home away from home for their families and carers.”

Potential expansion of the trial to other areas of NSW is being assessed, with plans already underway to establish a similar centre at John Hunter Hospital.

The SSC is working with all 17 surgical specialties in RPA, as well as those public patients being cared for at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse and Sydney Day Surgery.

Ritchelle Drilon

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Ritchelle is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel, Australia’s premier resource of information for healthcare.

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