Services

Momentum in St John of God Health Care hospitals in the eastern states continued the group’s progress toward achieving its strategic aim of being a recognised leader in the Australian health sector for the provision of high quality healthcare.

Increased investment in technology and new investment in facilities contributed to the ongoing focus on achieving our strategic priorities, with a strong emphasis on positioning St John of God Health Care as a leader in health and hospital care in regional Victoria.

The year marked the achievement of several important milestones in Victoria. St John of God Bendigo Hospital completed a $41 million redevelopment, which has delivered a new three-storey wing, two new integrated operating theatres, a large theatre recovery, new sterilising department, and refurbishment of all existing bedrooms, front entrance, atrium and the Day Procedure Unit, as well as a free car park with flat and easy access into the hospital.

In addition, rehabilitation and geriatric inpatient services at St John of God Bendigo Hospital expanded by 34 beds.

At St John of God Geelong Hospital, a $21 million redevelopment included a cardiac care unit, intensive care unit, operating theatre, cardiovascular interventional laboratory and education and research facility, while at St John of God Ballarat Hospital, the inpatient rehabilitation unit was extended to 30 dedicated beds.

The new St John of God Berwick Hospital, which is expected to open early in 2018, will bring a new level of healthcare and services to the region. The hospital will have 190 beds, six operating theatres, two procedure rooms, a cardiovascular interventional laboratory, six birthing suites, 350 basement car parks and the first intensive care unit and cardiac care unit in the region.

The new hospital will enable the existing Gibb Street facility to be redeveloped as a rehabilitation hospital with an expected opening date in late 2018.

St John of God Berwick Hospital’s commitment to technological innovation was demonstrated by the purchase of a Mako Robot, which will enable surgeons to deliver robot-guided joint replacement surgery.

At St John of God Frankston Rehabilitation Hospital, works commenced on a $9.7 million refurbishment, which will deliver new and improved accommodation and amenities for patients. With an expected completion date in early 2018, the development will deliver an increased number of single rooms, refurbishment of all patient rooms, improved front entrance access for patients and vehicles, and a new café , lounge area, three additional consulting rooms, chapel and adjoining multipurpose meeting room.

In addition, the hospital started a collaboration with the University of Melbourne to collect cardiac rehabilitation outcome data to improve cardiac-related outcomes at a state level.

In NSW, Hawkesbury District Health Service launched the community’s first sleep study clinic under the specialist care of a respiratory and sleep medicine physician. The service also introduced new surgical oncology services providing patients with local access to specialist breast, endocrine and soft tissue tumour surgery. The Living Cancer Trust Chemotherapy Service opened in April 2017.

St John of God Burwood Hospital made progress with the completion of the Models of Care project, which has revised each clinical program to ensure a direct match to the National Mental Health Recovery Framework and the organisation’s Mission. Pex survey results showed 95% of patients would recommend St John of God Burwood Hospital to a family member or friend.