Mater ED unit open
TOWNSVILLE’S second emergency department opens for business today with widespread support expected from the community for the $ 1 million Mater Hospital refurbishment.
Director of the new facility at Pimlico, Dr Philip Gaudin, said it was exciting for Townsville residents to have a choice for emergency medical treatment.
“Coming here will take the burden off the public system,” he said.
The facility, with two resuscitation bays, six treatment rooms, a procedure room and 14 designated parking bays, will operate from 7am to 11pm seven days a week.
Today’s opening means The Mater will have an emergency department for the first time in 18 years, having closed due to a lack of physicians.
Dr Gaudin said it would be one of the most affordable private emergency departments in Australia, with a standard fixed fee applying for patients.
For some patients, such as Department of Veterans Affairs Gold Card holders and approved WorkCover patients, there will be no out- of- pocket cost.
Townsville RSL president Bill Whitburn said the ED was a great addition to medical services in Townsville, which has a large population of defence force veterans.
“This is especially great news that they will have a choice and a direct pathway into the Mater Hospital in an emergency,” he said. “With Dr Gaudin heading the ED and with the support from the community the service will go from strength to strength.”
The ED is aiming to see at least 30 patients a day but the facility is expected to grow with the capability to see more than double that number.
Townsville GP Richard Keyes said he was looking forward to working with the ED team.
“This is a much- needed facility for the region,’’ he said.
“The Mater ED will complement the wonderful service of the public emergency and will take pressure off the Townsville Hospital.’’
The service will be supported by oncall specialists including the fields of cardiology and cardiac surgery, orthopaedics, paediatrics, general surgery, general medicine, plastic surgery, urology, vascular surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology and ophthalmology.
Dr Gaudin, also an emergency physician, has worked in over 30 emergency departments around the country and praised the team behind the new development in Townsville.
“Out of all the emergency departments I’ve worked in this is the most welcoming one and the most needed for the community,” he said.
“I genuinely believe that, and that’s why I came here.”