Medicus April 2016

F O R T H E R E C O R D

It’s not lonely at the top! DR MATTHEW SUMMERSCALES & DR MICHELE GENEVIEVE CO-HEADS OF DEPARTMENT, EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT ST JOHN OF GOD MIDLAND PUBLIC HOSPITAL

Q. Since SJG Midland Public Hospital opened in November 2015, has activity in the emergency department lived up to expectations? Michele: Since opening, SJGMPH’s ED has experienced significantly more demand than typically occurred at Swan District Hospital, the facility it replaced. We are treating more urgent cases, which is in keeping with the expanded capacity of the new hospital in retaining a greater share of the region’s hospital activity. The other difference is that while the ED is public, patients can choose to stay in our co-located private hospital if they are admitted. Q. The number of ED attendances at SJGMPH for the period January-13 March 2016 were 12,083, which represents a 21 per cent increase from the same period last year at SDH. To what do you attribute the increased presentations? Michele: We believe we are seeing more patients than SDH due to high capacity in

services. We also suspect that some people are coming to SJGMPH from areas outside of the catchment area as they know it is a new facility and has the same high quality service associated with St John of God Health Care hospitals. Q. What percentage of presentations represents mental health cases? Matt: In general, five per cent of ED presentations are given a primary mental health diagnosis. This does not include those who are drug affected or who are presenting for an injury or illness but also have a mental health condition. Q. How is the team managing the increased activity? Matt: When the hospital first opened, there were some delays during the busier periods as staff become fully acquainted with the new ED and managing the high number of urgent cases. However, we have since developed a

number of procedures to improve our efficiencies and ensure patients are seen quickly. We now have an ED Flow Coordinator to assist with the flow of patients arriving by ambulance and a Triage Liaison Nurse to assist patients waiting in the reception area. We also have volunteers assisting patients in the reception area. Q. Both of you job share the role of heading the ED at the hospital? How does this work? Michele: We envisaged the role would be demanding and both bring our own strengths to the job. We work together by dividing the tasks according to our strengths and always work together on Thursdays to collaborate on the week ahead. Matt and I have known each other a very long time, training together at medical school in the UK, and seem to have very similar opinions on most things, which adds to the ease of taking on this role together.

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