News
Hunter’s First Private Emergency Department Open to the Public on 30 March 2015
Apr 07, 2015
Lake Macquarie Private Hospital <strong><em>has opened</em></strong> the Hunter’s first Private Emergency Department providing the community with 24/7 access to private emergency care providing cardiac patients, cancer patients and the general community a private choice for emergency care and <strong><em>will be open to the public from Monday 30 March, 2015</em></strong>.
The new private emergency department will be supported by 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
It will also provide a specialised sports medicine service on weekends for emergencies stemming from local sporting events
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.
Patients with or without private health insurance will have access to the new service. 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 service is linked in with the local ambulance service and supports the existing public service provided by Hunter New England Local Health.
“This service will not replace the care provided by GPs but rather will complement the services already available in Newcastle.
“The service will link in with GPs, ambulance services and public hospital emergency services to ensure that we provide a complementary and comprehensive service to the local community.
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.