News

Danny Buderus Launches New Private Emergency Service

Sep 03, 2014

Lake Macquarie Private Hospital has today unveiled plans to launch the region's first private emergency department, providing the community with 24/7 access to private emergency care.

Opening in March 2015, the new private emergency department will employ experienced emergency trained doctors and qualified emergency nursing staff for patients with conditions requiring urgent assessment and treatment.

The new Emergency Department will feature a rapid access Chest Pain unit that will enable patients a direct entry into the Hunter Regions leading Cardiac Services program.

The new emergency department will also provide a specialised sports medicine service on weekends for emergencies stemming from local sporting events. This initiative has been welcomed by Lake Macquarie Private's ambassador and former Newcastle Knights' great Danny Buderus, who launched the new private emergency service today.

Hospital CEO Ian Maytom said the announcement was an exciting development for the Hospital and the region.

"While private emergency departments are common in some metropolitan areas in Australia, they are very rare in regional areas. This is a first for Newcastle and, with the back-up of Lake Macquarie Private's extensive cardiac, intensive care and surgical services, we are well positioned to be able to provide a comprehensive emergency service for the community 24 hours a day, 365 days a year," Mr Maytom said.

Whilst aimed at providing direct access for patients with health insurance cover, the new unit will also be accessible to other members of the community. The unit will operate on a fee-for-service basis similar to other private emergency departments throughout the country.

Patients will be able to self-present or be referred to the centre by their GP or medical specialist. The hospital also proposes to link in with the local ambulance service.

"This service will not replace the care provided by GPs but rather will complement the services already available in Newcastle.

"Our aim will be to link in with GPs, ambulance services and public hospital emergency services to ensure we are providing a complementary and comprehensive service to the local community.

"Preliminary discussions with the Hunter New England Health have been very supportive of the new service and the service is being developed in consultation with local representatives of the NSW Ambulance Service to refine the protocols leading into March."

On-site radiology, pathology and diagnostic cardiology services will support the new Emergency Centre.

In addition, the emergency department will provide 24 hour support for patients of the Hunter Cancer Centre, which already features a comprehensive range of medical, radiation and surgical oncology.