|
|
|
Cape Hawke public beds progressing
12 June 2008
Hunter New England Health would like to reassure the Forster and Great Lakes communities that despite unforeseen delays, the public health beds and services to be made available through Forster Private Hospital (formerly known as Cape Hawke Community Private Hospital) are still very much on the agenda.
Initial estimates were that contracts would be finalised for the commencement of public health services at Forster Private Hospital by June 2008. However, Hunter New England Health Director of Population Health, Planning and Performance Kim Browne said the start date has been slightly delayed.
"We have promised to keep the community informed of progress, and what we have achieved to date is detailed work on the model of care for the services to be provided, preparation of relevant contracting documentation and approval by various Government departments.
"This process has taken a bit longer than anticipated, but we are satisfied that we are now in a position to negotiate with Pulse Health, the company which administers Forster Private Hospital," Ms Browne said.
Ms Browne said the development of this type of public/private service is a complex task.
"It is important that public/private contracts be developed with the greatest care and attention to detail to ensure the services that are delivered are of the highest quality, safety and value for taxpayers’ money," she said.
"The services we will be funding are low acuity public inpatient beds. ‘Low acuity’ beds generally refer to hospital treatment and care that does not require the full time attention of a specialist.
"These low acuity medical services will include step down surgical patients from Manning Rural Referral Hospital, aged care assessment, rehabilitation and palliative care.
"It has been important that we clearly define the criteria for patients requiring public health care through this arrangement.
"We’ve now had detailed discussions with clinicians to estimate the number of patients we would be able to provide services to and develop a thorough set of requirements for the contract. These plans have also been signed off by the NSW Health Department and the NSW Minister for Health, which puts us in a position to move forward.
"Now that the detailed requirements are completed, we are in discussions with Pulse Health, so they can start their planning as to what they are able to provide.
"The next step will be the development of a contract, followed by any physical alterations required within the Hospital to accommodate our services," she said.
Hunter New England Health plan for this to take place as soon as negotiations are finalised, with a view to have services commence as quickly as possible.
Contact: Kay Cope
Phone: 6776 9817
|
|
|