10/2/08
From today, more than 70 per cent of the State’s major adult trauma victims will be treated in a new unit, equipped with state-of-the-art technology at Royal Perth Hospital.
Health Minister Jim McGinty said the $8million unit would provide emergency care for Western Australia’s worst adult trauma cases, including people injured in car and work place accidents and natural disasters.
“The new 30-bed major trauma unit will provide exceptional high-acuity care for people with horrific life-threatening injuries,” Mr McGinty said.
“Last year, doctors and nurses in WA’s public hospitals treated more than 730 adults who had experienced a major trauma.
“The number of major trauma admissions to RPH increased by 112 per cent between 1996 and 2006.
“This new unit will take the majority of that workload, providing a centralised service staffed by highly specialised professionals.
“The unit will also take pressure off the hospital’s other acute care areas such as intensive care and the Emergency Department. The additional beds will add to the hospital’s capacity during peak demand.
“RPH has always been the largest provider of adult trauma care in the State and the hospital’s ability to cope with life-threatening cases will be significantly enhanced by this unit.
“Other hospitals, in particular Sir Charles Gairdner and Fremantle, will continue to treat a significant number of trauma cases each year, which will ensure that staff at those sites maintain and continue to develop the skills and experience necessary to cope with these types of cases.”
The new unit has been built in a part of the hospital that was previously used for outpatient clinics.
WA Trauma director and RPH Surgical Division director Dr Sudhakar Rao, who will run the unit, said the new purpose-built facility and cutting-edge equipment would provide trauma patients with the best possible outcomes.
“Trauma patients usually suffer multiple, complex injuries, so they need to be cared for holistically to ensure their injuries are treated according to world’s best standards,” Dr Rao said.
“To do that, we need equipment which is modern and reliable and this is certainly the case with this new ward.”
The unit will provide training opportunities for nurses from other hospitals who need to acquire trauma nursing management experience, either as part of further study or to widen their skill base. Other clinical staff from Royal Perth will be invited to participate in a shared roster to allow continued development of skills and experience.
Minister's office - 9422 3000
