REDHS acute nursing unit manager Indiana Moodoo-Loy, acute services manager Melissa Seelenmeyer, Louise Eeles and her mother Shirley McAsey, the first acute care patient, clinical services director Meaghan Douglas and graduate nurse Emma Berg. Photo: Supplied
Marking an important step for the Rochester Elmore District Health Service reopening, the first acute care patients were welcomed on Monday, February 24.
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REDHS chief executive Mary Manescu is confident the acute care beds will benefit residents around the region.
“It’s a step forward for the community to now be able to be receiving care locally,” she said.
“Particularly in the acute side, not only residential because obviously that hasn’t been available.”
REDHS acute administration officer Emily Murphy, graduate nurse Emma Berg, acute nursing unit manager Indiana Modoo-Loy and acute services manager Melissa Seelenmeyer. Photo: Emily Donohoe.
Photo by
Emily Donohoe
The service will operate a hybrid model in its acute care, with general practitioners working from 9am to 9pm in-person, then handing over to a virtual team of specialists.
Ms Manescu believes this system will better support general practitioners to take a step away at the end of their workday.
“The model will permit us to admit consumers under the care of the respective medical practitioner, who will provide, where able, an in-person ward round, particularly during the day,” Ms Manescu said.
“After hours, (they) will be supported by a group of specialist physicians should our nurses require any intervention.
“This means our GPs ... will not necessarily have to be called out and maintain a 24/7 roster.
“They will be able to have a rest and not be concerned that their patients are not followed up and cared for.”
One of the REDHS acute beds awaiting a patient.
Photo by
Emily Donohoe
Similar hybrid models have been trialled by neighbouring health services successfully, and virtual medical services played an important role during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re building on the experience of other colleagues in the sector,” Ms Manescu said.
“The first was opened at a facility called NCN (Nathalia, Cobram and Nurmurkah) Health in the Hume region, and Kyabram for the last two years.
“They’ve used it in a different way, but certainly still reaching out to the virtual inpatient team for support.”
The acute ward also offers a freshly rebuilt patient lounge. Photo: File.
Ms Manescu is excited to welcome the technology into REDHS and feels that without it, the team may not be able to support an acute inpatient ward.
She also believes the model can help fellow health services provide local care.
“We hope to see more health services embrace the technological means that are available to continue to deliver that care close to home,” she said.
“If that wasn’t available for us, for example, we probably couldn’t have opened our beds.
“Our nurses and medical practitioners have really embraced technology and really are looking at it in a positive way. We think our consumers are also on the same journey.”
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