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Better services for rehabiliation patients at Wingham Community Hospital
Better services for rehabiliation patients at Wingham Community Hospital
Patients rehabilitating at Wingham Community Hospital are now benefitting from new independent living facilities, officially opened today by Hunter New England Health Chief Executive Dr Nigel Lyons.
The new facilities include two extra large patient rooms, each with an ensuite and a new occupational therapy kitchen. The kitchen will be used by Allied Health professionals to help prepare patients to return home.
Dr Nigel Lyons said the facilities have been built from $400,000 in funds from the Commonwealth Government Pathways Home program.
“The Pathways Home program is all about making the transition from hospital to home that much easier for patients.”
“It is aimed at improving the ability for the older person to function at their best following illness, which threaten independence.”
Patients that will use this service include people recovering from stroke, patients recovering from joint replacements and patients with mobility issues.
"This improved rehabilitation service will help make people's recovery more comfortable," Dr Lyons said.
“Cerebrovascular disease or stroke is Australia’s second biggest killer with one occurring every 10 minutes. It is also Australia’s leading cause of disability.”
“Having services like this can make a dramatic difference in a person’s ability to recover from conditions such as stroke and markedly improve their quality of life.”
“The new independent living facilities will enhance Wingham Community Hospital’s reputation as a first class centre for rehabilitation services,” Dr Lyons said.
As part of the redevelopment, a new reception area has also been constructed, offering an enlarged and open spaced area for visitors and patients coming to the hospital.
“I’d like to thank everyone who has helped make this project a reality, including the Federal Government for providing the funds and the Wingham and Lower Mid North Coast Cluster staff as well our Capital Works department – without a team effort none of this would be possible,” Dr Lyons said.
Ongoing funding associated with staff wages and recurrent costs are being met by NSW Health.
Contact: Tanya Carlyle
Phone: (02) 49392602
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