NSW Minister for Health, John Della Bosca, said he was delighted to officially open the High Dependency Unit (HDU) at Wyong Hospital today.
Mr Della Bosca said the opening of the HDU gave Central Coast residents better services, closer to home.
“Residents of Wyong Shire will now have access to critical care services at their local hospital,” Mr Della Bosca said.
“This is a significant expansion of health services at Wyong, and will help relieve pressure on the Emergency Department.
“The High Dependency Unit has been established to support the increasing clinical demands of locals and will enable an increased level of care at Wyong Hospital,” the Minister said.
The High Dependency Unit at Wyong Hospital is for patients requiring:
- Short-term ventilation;
- Post-operative monitoring; and
- Complex medical care.
“In the past, these patients would have been managed and stabilised in the emergency department while awaiting transfer to Gosford Hospital’s ICU or another tertiary centre,” Mr Della Bosca said.
“The critical care service began this week with the opening of four beds staffed by senior medical and nursing staff experienced in the care of the critically ill.
“When fully operational the unit will provide eight high dependency beds for critically ill patients from the Wyong Shire supported by 42 staff.”
Wyong Hospital’s High Dependency Unit will be strongly supported by Gosford Hospital’s ICU, ensuring patients who may require a higher level of intensive care, such as longterm ventilation, are transferred from the HDU to Gosford’s ICU or other tertiary centres.
Member for Wyong, David Harris, said the new facility was good news for the Central Coast community.
“This new service will reduce the expense and distance of travel for family members at a time when they are experiencing heightened angst and distress,” Mr Harris said.
“I am happy to be here today to help open this service, and look forward to the improved patient care that this service will bring to the people of Wyong.”