Initiatives to improve emergency department patient care at Joondalup Health Campus
Joondalup Health Campus (JHC) continues to support one of the busiest emergency departments (EDs) in WA. There are several initiatives in place aiming to improve patient care including:
- Encouraging GP ED duty consultant phone handover prior to referring patients – This allows for a clearer handover and can facilitate timely review. It also allows redirection if JHC is unable to provide a service such as urgent paediatric general surgery, emergency gastroenterology, alcohol detoxification or ophthalmology. Contact the ED duty consultant on 9400 9066 or via the switch on 9400 9400.
- Ambulatory ED – Recently relocated to an independent clinical area in which dedicated ED consultants attend Triage Category 3 to Triage Category 5 patients. This aims to improve flow and quality of care for all triage categories.
- Paediatric Rapid Review Clinic – This new clinic allows, in most cases, for next day paediatrician review. Currently, this is for patients initially assessed in JHC ED, allowing for safe and timely follow up.
- Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic – This is the best referral option for early pregnancy concerns such as bleeding (less than 20/40) if the patient is stable. Usually seen for review and ultrasound within 24 hours (Monday to Friday). Fax referrals to 9400 9382 or email JHC@ramsayhealth.com.au
- Urgent Gynaecology Assessment Clinic – A public clinic, separate to the Gynaecology Clinic that aims to provide an alternative to ED for urgent presentations. Updated referral criteria will soon be available on the JHC website. Fax referrals to 9400 9955 or email jhc@ramsayhealth.com.au (clearly indicate the referral is for the Urgent Gynaecology Assessment Clinic).
- ED communication review – JHC is seeking feedback on ED communication with GPs – email Hospital Liaison GP, Dr Belinda Russell Smith at russellsmithb@ramsayhealth.com.au with your comments.
ARIA asthma trial opportunity
JHC has an active clinical trials unit and is looking for participants aged 12 to 17 years of age, who have been diagnosed with asthma and have been taking a combined preventor (such as Seretide or budesonide), for at least 12 weeks. Irrespective of their inclusion in the trial, all applicants will be provided with detailed lung function assessments and review by an Asthma WA respiratory paediatrician. More information is available by emailing Dr Desiree Silva via ClinicalTrialsJHC@ramsayhealth.com.au
Dr Belinda Russell-Smith
Hospital Liaison GP, Joondalup Health Campus
RussellSmithB@ramsayhealth.com.au
February 2025
Policy changes – Rhesus D Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing commenced at Joondalup Antenatal Clinic
Following the successful rollout at other Perth sites, Joondalup Health Campus (JHC) has commenced local Rhesus D Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (RHD NIPT) for Rhesus D (RhD)-negative women.
Given that studies show that up to 40 per cent of RhD-negative women have a RhD-negative baby, this represents an important change to the management of RhD-negative women in pregnancy as determining the Rhesus status of the baby indicates which patients will benefit from receiving Rhesus D Immunoglobulin (anti-D) and negates unnecessary intervention in others.
If GPs anticipate a RhD-negative patient’s first visit to the antenatal clinic won’t occur until after 20 weeks, it is important for the GP to arrange RHD NIPT prior to their visit. RHD NIPT can only be performed at PathWest.
A patient information sheet and RHD NIPT request form are available from PathWest.
New Hospital Liaison GP at Joondalup Health Campus
Long term northern suburbs GP, Dr Belinda Russell-Smith, has commenced in the role of Hospital Liaison GP for JHC and Joondalup Private Hospital. Any feedback, suggestions or requests for support from GPs can be directed to RussellsmithB@ramsayhealth.com.au or via the JHC GP Priority Line – 08 9400 9775.
Dr Belinda Russell-Smith
Hospital Liaison GP, Joondalup Health Campus
RussellSmithB@ramsayhealth.com.au