Building for a brighter future - GHA Central

Review of Operations: Acute (Hospital) Services
service within the Oncology Unit were
all major achievements this year.
This Unit continues to be very busy
with 1808 treatments this year, 47
more than last year. Unit staff update
their knowledge and skills by
attending regular education sessions
being actively involved in a range of
regional cancer care working groups
and planning bodies.
Diabetes Education
It has been estimated that the
incidence of diabetes, particularly
Type 2 diabetes, in the Baw Baw
Shire may increase by as much
as 46% within the next ten years.
This prediction would seem to be
supported by the growing number
of patients being referred to both
the community and hospital based
Diabetes Educators. There were 1485
client contacts this year. A series of
diabetes update education sessions
were conducted to educate staff in
the new advances in treatment options
available.
Cardiology
The George Cole Hall facility located
behind WGH provides a large area for
exercise, rehabilitation and education
programs for people who have
breathing difficulties caused by lung
or heart disease. These sessions are
well attended and supported by the
Cardiac Nurse and Allied Health Staff.
The Cardiac Nurse is involved in the
new Heart Failure Project making visits
to patients at home after discharge
from Hospital to assess progress and
encourage rehabilitation activity.
Exercise stress testing for inpatients
and outpatients numbered 1127
services this year, 129 less than last
year.
Pre-admission Clinic
The Pre-admission clinic has had a
positive impact on reducing elective
surgery cancellations by identifying
early any patient health issues that
may require attention before
anaesthetic and surgery can be
undertaken. This year, 436 patients
were assessed through the clinic and
268 patients attended the anaesthetic
review service.
The Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria
Bone Banking program was
introduced in February. The Preadmission
Coordinator identifies
eligible patients having total hip
replacement surgery and offers
them the option of donating the
bone removed to the Bone Bank.
The bone is sent to the Bone Bank
and used for bone grafts. The Preadmission
Coordinator, the Elective
Surgery Access Coordinator, Bookings
and Admissions staff work together to
streamline the pre-admission process
for patients requiring elective surgery.
Medical Staff
➤ WGHG is fortunate to attract skilled
Medical Staff. During the year we
welcomed Specialist Anaesthetist
Dr Matthew Acheson, General
Practitioners Dr Cameran Azad,
Sandeep Bhagat and Biljana
Jovanovic, Gynaecologist Mr Geoffrey
Edwards, relieving Oncologist
Dr Kylie Mason and Paediatric
Surgeons Mr Chris Kimber and
Mr Neil McMullin
➤ We wish Urologist Mr William
(Bill) Straffon well in his retirement
after 35 years service
➤ During the year we farewell
Gynaecologist and Obstetrician
Dr Ian Pearson, Paediatric Surgeon
Mr Robert Stunden and Specialist
Anaesthetist Dr Dale Schnapp. We
thank them for their contribution
to the Group
➤ Investing in the experience of our
future medical workforce is vital.
Our junior medical staff now have
access to a Medical Education
Officer to assist with the planning
and support of education activities
➤ Mrs Debra Cole was appointed
to the position of Elective Surgery
Access Coordinator in March.
This role assists in the management
and streamlining of the processes
involved in maintaining the elective
surgery waiting list and identifies
any barriers to timely access to
hospital beds.
Medical Intern, Dr Tamara Jones, assesses
patient Debra Brown in the Pre-admission
clinic prior to her admission for surgery.
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