04 November 2008

Specialist women's surgery at RPA

NSW Minister for Health, John Della Bosca, said today that hospital management and clinicians at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPA) have agreed to arrangements to deliver the best possible care to women needing breast or gynaecological surgery.

"I received many letters about this issue from the community including specialist clinicians, former patients and families and they made a compelling case for the needs of women undergoing this type of treatment," the Minister said.

"I asked the Chief Executive of the Sydney South West Area Health Service, Mr Mike Wallace, to look at all options to ensure high quality care of women needing specialist surgery would be maintained.

"Mr Wallace and Ms Di Gill, Executive Director, RPA met with senior clinicians over the past two days and agreed to a way forward which provides the privacy, respect and dignity women deserve during their treatment and recovery.

"Women having breast re-constructions will be cared for in a dedicated 4-bed women-only area on level 10 of the hospital with specialist breast care nurses. This is the plastic surgery ward.

"Women undergoing gynaecological and gynae-oncology surgery will continue to be cared for on ward 7East2 as has always been the case," Mr Della Bosca said.

"This ward has a high proportion of single rooms and is particularly suited for women having this type of treatment.

"Some minor refurbishment of this ward is needed, so for a brief period until the end of November a small number of women-only beds will be established in 7West2.

"Specialist nurses will continue to care for women undergoing breast and gynaecological surgery.

"I am very pleased that clinicians and management have been able to come together to resolve this issue in the best interests of all concerned.

"RPA is one of Australia's leading hospitals, specialising in obstetrics and gynaecology and cancer treatment and will continue to care for all patients in a respectful and dignified way," the Minister added.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au