Hospital gets new emergency ward
EMERGENCY patients at Coffs Harbour Base Hospital will benefit from the new 10-bed Emergency Medicine Unit (EMU) officially opened today.
Patients who are required to remain in hospital under observation or review for a period of up to 24 hours can now do so without hindering the service the hospital provides to other emergency patients.
Acting hospital general manager, Dr Theresa Beswick, said the new $1.3million unit would allow patients to remain under the care of emergency clinicians in a facility which adjoins the hospital's Emergency Department.
"The new Emergency Medicine Unit provides an alternative to admitting patients to the main hospital wards and ensures that they are assessed within a short time frame," Dr Beswick said.
The EMU has commenced operation during a traditionally busy time for the hospital.
"At this time of year when we have increased activity due to winter illnesses, the expansion of our Emergency Department has been welcomed," Dr Beswick added.
"The EMU will also have ongoing benefits for our ability to see patients in a more timely manner."
