Patients at hospital emergency departments and COVID-19 clinics in Port Macquarie will soon benefit from an $8.6 million expansion of the NSW government's patient experience program, which is the first of its kind in Australia.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
An additional 86 full time equivalent staff will be recruited to 50 hospitals across NSW, with facilities operating COVID-19 clinics a priority, including two at Port Macquarie Base Hospital.
"This program aims to create a welcoming, safe, empowering environment for everyone who arrives at our emergency departments. Patient experience officers will greet patients on arrival and help to guide them through their care, providing information on where to go, what to expect, and updates on appointment queues," Mrs Williams said.
"Patient Experience Program staff receive specific training from the NSW Ministry of Health Patient Experience Team, Service NSW, and their Local Health District, to ensure they are well qualified to provide this extra support to patients, carers and visitors."
Minister for Health and Medical Research Brad Hazzard said the recruitment of new positions is already underway, and there has been overwhelming interest to participate in this exciting program.
"This program has already been immensely valuable at the pilot sites, and extending this extra support across NSW is very timely as we continue to combat COVID-19," Mr Hazzard said.
As part of the program patients receive:
- access to free Wi-Fi, mobile phone charging stations, additional power points, water
- and other refreshments
- information sent to their mobile device about what to expect during their stay
- fact sheets on their particular condition/ treatment options
- ongoing care instructions after discharge, available in multiple languages.
Advice in multiple languages will also be given on safety, hygiene and COVID-19 symptoms.
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here. If you would like to support our journalists you can subscribe here.
