IN A MOVE to address increasing healthcare demands, Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service (WBHHS) are working in partnership with the three private hospitals across the region, securing additional beds and reinforcing our commitment to quality care.
In Bundaberg, WBHHS have engaged partnerships with two private hospitals. The Friendly Society Private Hospital and the Mater Hospital have each committed a total 30 beds to support our efforts. This strategic alliance are assisting in providing additional inpatient beds to ensure patients receive the right care in the right place to receive high-quality care.
Mater Private Hospital Bundaberg General Manager Catherine Hackney said Mater had a strong track record of working with WBHSS to deliver care to the community.
“This new partnership builds on the very close relationship we already have with our HHS colleagues,” Ms Hackney said.
“As a not-for-profit hospital, our mission is to support the health of the community and we are ready to provide public patients with exceptional care as and when required.
“So far we have cared for patients with a range of conditions, and care needs and look forward to continuing this work.”
Chief Executive of the Friendlies Michelle Thompson expressed her enthusiasm for the new partnership in the Bundaberg and Wide Bay Region.
“We are delighted to be participating in the provision of collaborative care to the Bundaberg and Wide Bay Region,” she said.
“This model not only goes to the very heart of our mission but, more importantly, strengthens and enhances our bed capacity and joint hospital capabilities to meet the expanding community’s needs.
“We look forward to fostering further collaborative opportunities with WBHHS, including the sharing of our health resources and healthcare professionals’ expertise. We are stronger together.”
In Hervey Bay, our partnership with St Stephens Hospital adds 16 beds to our healthcare system.
This collaboration ensures that more residents can access the care they need when they need it.
St Stephen’s Hospital General Manager, Peter Wood, said “The focus at St Stephen’s has always been on making great care accessible closer to home for the people of our region. That’s why we’re proud to play a part in this program which ultimately helps to expand and improve timely access to our local healthcare services.”
“We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with our health colleagues across the Wide Bay to benefit those who need our care and our regional healthcare system more broadly.
“In the first month of the partnership, through 16 beds, St Stephen’s has already been able to provide care for more than 80 public patients requiring admission to hospital,” he said.
These partnerships exemplify our commitment to a unified approach in addressing healthcare demands across the region.
The integration of these additional beds across Bundaberg and Hervey Bay represents a proactive step towards managing the increasing healthcare demands.
Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Debbie Carroll said these collaborative efforts are part of a broader strategy to ensure that our communities have access to the best possible healthcare services.
“We remain dedicated to exploring further opportunities to enhance healthcare delivery,” she said.
“Together, we are making strides towards a healthier future for Bundaberg and Hervey Bay, demonstrating that through collaboration and shared vision, we can achieve remarkable outcomes for our communities.
“I am extremely grateful to the kind and hard-working staff at these hospitals who take excellent care of our patients.
“These collaborations are set to bolster our capacity to meet the health needs of our communities effectively.”