The wards of the new Perth Children’s Hospital are finally open and staff are busy caring for the sickest and most vulnerable children in our State.
From today (June 10), PCH will replace PMH as the State’s only specialist paediatric hospital and major trauma centre, treating sick children from across Western Australia.
The biggest medical transfer of young patients in the State’s history got underway at 7am this morning, when a convoy of 15 ambulances began the delicate and carefully planned transfer of inpatients from PMH to the new paediatric facility.
All patients involved in today’s move are being clinically assessed and monitored by medical teams throughout their journey – the safety of the children is the highest priority of the operation.
‘Allocate Me’ software is being used to electronically scan each patient and track them throughout the move. Main Roads Western Australia, the WA Police Force and the Department of Health’s Disaster Preparedness Management Unit have been instrumental in planning the sophisticated and complex, logistical operation.
Intensive care and high dependency patients will be transported with a medical team, registered nurse and any critical care transport requirements. Specially equipped neonatal ambulances and support teams will transport young babies requiring a high level of care.
At 7am when the patient move began, the emergency department at PMH closed and the new Perth Children’s Hospital emergency department opened its doors.
The new Perth Children’s Hospital has expanded clinical, research and education facilities and greatly improved amenities for families and staff. It also boasts a range of technological advancements and has been purpose built to improve its young patients’ hospital experience.
Patients from the Bentley Adolescent Unit will mark the final patient move, and are due to arrive at PCH within a week.