New $145m 'quiet hospital' opens in Vic

A new $145 million Northern Private Hospital has opened in Victoria, featuring the latest digital devices for patient safety and quality, and a new communication system, claiming to be the state’s first ‘quiet hospital’.

Northern Private Hospital CEO Shaune Gillespie said the technology meant less disruption for patients and faster communication between staff. Co-located with Northern Hospital Epping, the facilities are joined by a link bridge to allow the easy transfer of patients between sites.

“Gone are the days when patients, and even staff, had to buzz a noisy call bell for assistance and hope it gets heard. Now, the message goes directly to exactly who needs to hear it,” Gillespie said.

“Our smart comms devices link a patient’s call button, monitors and other safety equipment directly to the nurses looking after them. They also allow our nurses to immediately, and silently, call for additional assistance.

“Northern Private will also accept referrals direct from GPs, helping to take pressure off local emergency departments and reduce wait times for patients,” he said.

The hospital is operated by Ramsay Health Care. Ramsay facilities provide a range of health care services, including primary care, complex surgeries as well mental health care and rehabilitation. The company employs over 86,000 people and treats 8.5 million patients in its hospitals and primary care clinics located in Australia, France, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, Indonesia and Hong Kong.

“Ramsay saw the need for better access to quality private healthcare services in the fast-growing suburbs north of Melbourne,” Ramsay Health Care CEO Carmel Monaghan said.

Northern Private Hospital, located within the Riverlee New Epping estate, 22km from Melbourne’s CBD, features 70 patient beds, four operating theatres, a cardiac catheterisation lab, a sleep study unit, a day chemotherapy unit, an on-site pharmacy, pathology and medical imaging.

The wide range of specialties available include general medicine, cancer care, cardiac care, ENT, orthopaedics, IVF and fertility, vascular care, urology, nephrology, gastroenterology, general surgery, thoracic surgery, respiratory and sleep services, and plastic and reconstructive surgery. The hospital will continue to evolve in the future to grow and meet the heath care requirements of the expanding community.

Northern Private Hospital was designed to support Ramsay’s commitment to sustainability and has a 4 Star Green Star Rating. The building was built using cooling beams and features solar panels, LED efficient lighting and double-glazed windows and equipment to help with water conservation.