July 2005

Patients receive the best of care

Dandenong Hospital’s new, purpose-built intensive care unit ward is fully operational.

The new ward, part of Dandenong Hospital’s Stage Two redevelopment, incorporates both intensive care unit (ICU) beds and high dependency unit (HDU) beds and increases the ICU ward’s capacity by six beds.

Southern Health Chief Executive Officer Linda Sorrell said the new ICU ward had been purpose-built to best serve Southern Health’s critically-ill patients.

‘The ward has a number of impressive design features.

‘There is a central, elevated nurses’ station that allows staff a view of all beds at all times, 360-degree access around each bed and two isolation rooms.

‘The ward is also flooded with natural light and overlooks an outdoor courtyard to further improve patient comfort.’

The Dandenong Hospital Stage Two redevelopment will be completed by March 2006 and includes new allied health facilities, three additional wards and the construction of two operating theatres.