New anaesthesia machines for Greater Newcastle hospitals

Hunter New England Health has re-invested savings gained through improvements in safety and a decrease in insurance premiums into 17 new anaesthesia machines for John Hunter Hospital, Belmont Hospital and the Royal Newcastle Centre.
Director of Anaesthesia Dr Patrick Farrell said 17 new anaesthesia
machines recently arrived from the United States and have been installed in the three Hunter hospitals.

“Anaesthesia machines are used by anaesthetists to support the administration of anaesthesia. The fully electronic machines are the most technologically advanced machines in any health facility in the Hunter,” Dr Farrell said.

Ten new machines are now in service at John Hunter Hospital, with five more in the operating theatres of the Royal Newcastle Centre and two machines are at Belmont Hospital.

Michael Di Rienzo, Director Operations - Acute Networks said the new anaesthesia technology is a significant purchase for the operating theatres and one that has been assisted by a reduction in insurance premiums.

“By improving safety across our health service over recent years, we’ve been able to reduce workers’ compensation costs and inject these savings into frontline services.

“In the 2006/07 financial year we have been able to use $9.7-million of savings towards not only purchasing 17 anaesthetic machines for hospitals in the Greater Newcastle Acute Network, but a range of projects including the fit-out of three additional patient transport vehicles, fire detection upgrades, bed replacements, on-site staff accommodation and patient accommodation, as well as additional surgical instruments.

“By working together to have a safer workplace, we’re not only looking after each other, but we’re freeing up health dollars to put back into patient and client care. We need to keep focused on safety so we can continue to deliver these impressive results,” said Mr Di Rienzo.

Contact: Gemma Smith

Phone: 49214501