News & Events:Media Releases

$3million upgrade sees Joondalup Health Campus' Special Care Nursery double in size

23 August 2011

An upgrade of the special care nursery at Joondalup Health Campus has seen the unit double its capacity from eight cots to 16 cots. The facility was previously a 75m2 area and following the $3million expansion the nursery is now 325m2 in size.

Local member for Ocean Reef, Albert Jacob officially opened the special care nursery on behalf of the Minister for Health on 22nd August 2011. Mr Jacob’s son Joshua was a patient of the nursery last December.

“The special care nursery at Joondalup Health Campus cares for newborns delivered from 32 weeks gestation that need a little extra support and observation and this significant expansion will greatly benefit northern suburb families,” said Mr Jacob.

The unit takes in babies who need specialised medical treatment in their first few weeks of life and the expansion will enable more infants, including some born at King Edward Memorial Hospital, to be cared for closer to home at Joondalup Health Campus.

In 2010-11, over 464 babies were admitted to the special care nursery, which includes 69 babies who were transferred from King Edward Memorial and Princess Margaret hospitals.

Paediatric Head of Department Dr Desiree Silva said that the upgrade will significantly improve the hospital’s ability to accommodate the increasing numbers of high-risk neonates being born.

“Bonding between mother and child is a particularly important process in the early newborn period and the expansion means that more families will have the convenience of their newborn babies being treated locally and not having to travel to King Edward Memorial or Princess Margaret hospitals.”

“The Paediatric unit has also improved training for all staff in neonatology. The special care nursery provides 24-hour medical cover and a team of specialist nurses, a neonatologist, six paediatric consultants, paediatric registrars and medical officers who are fully equipped to handle high-risk pregnancies, babies born with complications and premature infants,” said Dr Silva.

Joondalup Health Campus Chief Executive Officer Kempton Cowan said that the facility has been funded by the State Government through savings from the wider redevelopment.

“The facility was not part of the original works program but with the increase in population growth and high-risk deliveries, Joondalup Health Campus has responded to the needs of the local community and has invested in neonatal care which is a vital part of paediatric and maternity services at the hospital,” Mr Cowan said.

The $364m expansion of Joondalup Health Campus continues to track ahead of schedule and under budget.

On the 7th August the new Private Surgical Services ward with 30 beds opened on the second floor of the Wanneroo Wing. A total of 85 additional beds have opened at the hospital this year.

All private wards at Joondalup Health Campus, including private surgical services, will move to the new private hospital when it is set to open in 2013.

The redevelopment has already delivered a new emergency department and an expanded public Mental Health Unit. The first of 12 new operating theatres come online an early 2012 followed by an expanded critical care unit, a cardiac-vascular laboratory and an additional specialist medical centre. On the completion, the hospital will accommodate 650 beds across the campus including 145 beds in the private hospital.

MEDIA BACKGROUNDER

Joondalup Health Campus is 470-bed campus, which includes both public and private hospital facilities plus a specialist medical centre accommodating leading specialists and diagnostic services, and is proud to be growing with its community.

Already one of the State’s busiest hospitals, Joondalup Health Campus is undergoing a $364 million redevelopment of its facilities to enable it to continue to accommodate local needs.

The campus is part of the Ramsay Health Care group which, in WA, includes Hollywood, Glengarry and Attadale Private Hospitals.