News & Events: Media Releases

Joondalup Health Campus prepared for any emergency

16 December 2011

Joondalup Health Campus’s operational readiness for a possible chemical, biological or radiological incident was tested this week in an emergency training exercise.

The half-day exercise came about following the recent installation of external decontamination showers as part of the Campus’s $29 Million upgrade to its Emergency Department.

The exercise involved 10 staff members from the Emergency Department as well as students from Edith Cowan University who posed as patients.

Joondalup Health Campus Disaster Management Coordinator, Helen Barrett said when it comes to the safety of personnel simply installing a piece of equipment is not enough.

“As health professionals it is vital that we continually test the operation and functionality of all safety equipment to ensure Joondalup Health Campus can efficiently and effectively handle any major health emergencies,” said Ms Barrett.   

“The installation of these showers form part of our disaster response capability and we will be performing similar emergency exercises on an annual basis to ensure our ongoing readiness.”

Joondalup Health Campus CEO, Kempton Cowan, said the emergency management education and training initiative is a prime example of the hospitals commitment to maintaining strong health services in the region.

"Our health professionals and their expert skills are critical in assessing logistical challenges and quick responses in a crisis or major incident. The ongoing emergency training combined with our upgrade in facilities reflects the hospitals role as a designated disaster management site," said Mr Cowan.

In addition to the decontamination showers the new Emergency Department also has a class 5 negative pressure isolation room for infectious patients and 56 patient bays – an 86 per cent increase on the 30 bays in the previous department – with separate waiting and treatment areas for adults and children.