February 2004 - Intensive Care & Coordination Monitoring Unit

Items and Actions Responsibility
Other Business not covered by agenda items
Media
The recent impact of media focus on hospitals in particular staff morale
was briefly discussed. Malcolm will discuss this with Barry O’Farrell when
he meets with him.
Special Purpose Accounts
There was discussion about access to and the use of special purpose
accounts, according to Department of Health Policy.
ACTION: Provide information regarding the difference between Trust
Funds and Special Purpose Accounts.
Number of ICUs
Concerns were raised regarding increasing difficulties for smaller
metropolitan units to provide adequate medical coverage. It was agreed
that ICIG should prepare a business case which evaluates coverage and
other clinical issues across the system and the recommended actions.
ACTION: Malcolm Fisher to review available data (from ICCMU),
discuss service provision and the future configuration of ICU services
with Tony O’Connell.
ICU Services at Goulburn and Bega Hospitals
A letter was tabled at the meeting from Southern Area Health Service in
response to the SAHS Site visit report. The current provision of services at
Goulburn Hospital was briefly discussed, with further discussion to be held
at next meeting when SAHS representative present.
It was suggested that the HDU should remain at Goulburn Hospital with
ICU patients transferred to either Prince of Wales or Canberra Hospitals.
ACTION: Narelle Boyd to be requested to provide an update on status
of Goulburn ICU at the next meeting.
Connecting Critical Care Telemedicine Research Applications
Phase 1 of this project is focusing on radiological imaging. There are a
number of rural sites participating but there are difficulties finding tertiary
centres to participate. The Rural Areas involved at present are: Macquarie,
Mid West and New England. Ideally the tertiary centres will be found which
conform with the current functional networks.
The project officers will be seeking advice from ICIG regarding tertiary sites
interested in participating in the project.
Next meeting
Wednesday, 11 March 2004, 2:30 – 4:30pm
Wallamutta Conference Rom, Level 4
NSW Department of Health
Steevie Chan
Malcolm Fisher
Lisa Chytra