Patients at the emergency department and COVID-19 clinic at Dubbo Hospital 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.
Member for the Dubbo Electorate Dugald Saunders said an additional 86 fulltime equivalent staff will be recruited, including two at Dubbo Hospital.
“This program aims to create a welcoming, safe, empowering environment for everyone who arrives at our emergency departments,” Mr Saunders said.
“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.”
“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 extra support to patients, carers and visitors.”
Minister for Health and Medical Research Brad Hazzard said recruitment was already underway, and the response had been overwhelming.
“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, and; ongoing care instructions after discharge, available in multiple languages. Advice in multiple languages will also be given on safety, hygiene and COVID-19 symptoms.
This funding boost is part of the NSW Government’s $800 million investment to support the health system’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information visit: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Performance/Pages/experience.aspx