Emergency Medicine

The Department is modern, spacious and well-equipped.  The department has 44 bunks including the Emergency Short Stay Unit and the department patients are triaged to Australian Triage Score guidelines. There is a fully-equipped trauma resuscitation area, and specialist cubicles for gynaecology, paediatrics, minor trauma and ophthalmology patients. There is a seclusion cubicle for disturbed patients.

It is fully computerised with an Emergency Department Information System (EDIS), which enables rapid tracking of patients, efficient patient handovers, and is a valuable tool for statistical information in research.

Guidelines for both medical and nursing staff are always at hand with a computerised intranet guide. Many library resources are available on all terminals (for example text books, medication guides, Micromedix, Poisindex, Medline). The pathology department information system is linked into Department terminals, allowing rapid access to investigation results.

There is  a tele-medicine link with one of our feeder regional hospitals, to provide visual support to decision-making.

Radiology and pathology are on-site and available immediately at all times. Inpatient registrars are also available for consultation and admission of patients. There are close links with ICU and CCU.

The Department has its own short stay ward (Observation Ward), for overnight or short stay admissions.

The Emergency Department enjoys a healthy relationship with other departments, and there is a friendly, helpful and professional atmosphere in the Department.