Patients celebrate Westmead Hospital’s new-look gastro ward

Westmead Hospital’s new-look gastroenterology ward has welcomed its first patients today (11 October 2017), following an extensive refurbishment.

The new 16-bed ward is part of the Westmead Redevelopment, the state’s biggest health infrastructure project.

Bella Vista resident Peter Wong was the first patient admitted to the new ward and said it was great to receive treatment in a fresh, modern space.

“It’s beautiful and the room sizes are amazing; it just looks very flash,” he said.

“The staff were quite excited and I can understand their excitement – looking at the reception area and everywhere else, it just doesn’t look like a hospital, it looks very friendly.”

The new ward includes larger treatment and patient rooms, along with a new negative pressure isolation room for immunocompromised and infectious patients.

A new procedure room has also been installed for transnasal endoscopy and FibroScan procedures. Transnasal endoscopies identify upper gastrointestinal bleeding while FibroScans measure liver stiffness for signs of cirrhosis and fatty liver.

Westmead Hospital gastroenterology head Professor Jacob George said the new ward was the first step in a major refurbishment of gastroenterology services at the hospital.

“We’ve really looked at the best way for patients to flow through the ward – from reception to the bedside and bathroom, right through to treatment and discharge areas,” he said.

“The planning process has incorporated extensive feedback from our staff, including the gastroenterology team and staff from general services, infection control, maintenance and orderlies.”

Westmead Hospital general manager Andrew Newton said the refurbishment would enhance the efforts of the hard-working gastroenterology team.

“The new environment is fantastic but the gastro team’s commitment to our patients will make this space truly come alive; I like to think our staff are the mortar for the new bricks,” he said.

“I highly commend our staff for their input in the planning process, as well as their hard work in ensuring today’s relocation ran smoothly.”

The Westmead Redevelopment includes a new central acute services building, along with the refurbishment of more than 30 per cent of Westmead Hospital. The project is expected to be completed by 2022.

For more information on the Westmead Redevelopment project, visit www.westmeadproject.health.nsw.gov.au