Ryde Hospital’s critical care unit improves intensive care
RYDE Hospital has unveiled a critical care unit, with a ceiling-mounted lift for large patients among the notable inclusions.
RYDE Hospital has unveiled a critical care unit, with a ceiling-mounted lift for large patients among the notable inclusions.
The renovation replaces the former high dependency unit and improves intensive care, while continuing to provide care for patients who have suffered a heart attack or stroke.
It is called critical care, rather than intensive, as it combines these services.
Hospital operations manager Matthew Noone said among the additions was a respiratory isolation room for patients with contagious diseases like tuberculosis and the flu.
Mr Noone said the room had negative pressure so airborne droplets could not affect other patients.
A ceiling-mounted lift is part of the room dedicated to bariatric (obese) patients.
This can help nurses move large patients to the shower or toilet.
There is also a room for palliative care patients nearing the end of their lives, with a family room next door allowing family members to be close by.
Mr Noone said family members could relax and talk to staff who “may need to have some serious conversations with them”.
The unit’s 15 beds is one fewer than the high dependency unit had, but Mr Noone said it provided superior care.
There is no change to patient conditions which may be treated at the hospital.
Mr Noone said the new environment was more spacious, and allowed staff to more easily supervise patients.
The new unit has been provided within the old hospital building.
It is part of a $9 million hospital revamp that has taken two years to build.
This includes an upgrade to general Ward 2, and the birthing unit.
The improvements to the latter are in the early stages and will include expanding the birth unit area, co-locating the antenatal clinics and birth unit, a larger family room and improved mobile phone coverage.
Mums@Ryde group president Aiyana Schwarz was happy with the progress.
“I think it’s fantastic,” Ms Schwarz said.
“We’ve been needing these renovations for so many years. The old decor was getting quite run-down – it was like walking into the 1980s.
“It will encourage more mums who want to birth to go through there.”
Hospital management, along with NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Ryde state Liberal MP Victor Dominello, officially opened the critical care unit on Friday.
Son of a gun scores century in U16s Green Shield decider
Records tumbled as a Northern District young gun stepped out of his father’s famous shadow with a century in the U16s AW Green Shield grand final. Full wrap, team of the year, 40+ GALLERY.
‘Immensely humbling’: Oz Day honours for Sydney’s local legends
While some call it “immensely humbling”, others have joked about thinking “which bastard has put me on here”. Meet Sydney’s local legends recognised on Australia Day.