A year in review With an Australian-first, a private young adult mental health unit poised to open and international recognition of its nursing excellence, St Vincent’s Private Hospital continues its proud tradition.
Following a busy year marking St Vincent’s Private Hospital’s centenary, the hospital celebrated several milestones, which will cement its reputation into the next century. Over the past 18 months the St Vincent’s Campus Capital Master Planning Project has moved ahead, building on the recommendations from the Campus Clinical Plan. Consultation took place with clinicians, and data analysis and activity projections were undertaken. Architects were engaged to commence the capital master planning process and a business case for the redevelopment and expansion of St Vincent’s Private Hospital is expected in mid 2012. Meanwhile, to maintain St Vincent’s Private’s current high standard of care, a bed replacement program commenced in June 2011. Set to replace the existing 250 beds in St Vincent’s Private Hospital, the program was completed in August 2011. All televisions are in the process of being replaced with flat LCD panels and this program will conclude in 2012-2013. Some upgrade of furniture and furnishings in patient’s rooms is also occurring and all of these items are easily transferrable to any new built form. Among the major achievements was the awarding of Magnet designation to the hospital’s nursing staff. Highly sought after, Magnet designation is granted by the American Nurses Credentialing Centre and recognises St Vincent’s Private Hospital’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards in the provision of nursing excellence. St Vincent’s Private Hospital is the first private hospital in Australia and the second private hospital to receive this prestigious award outside of the United States. The Magnet recognition summary report, of May 2011, stated that St Vincent’s Private Hospital met all Magnet criteria with no recommendations.
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St Vincents & Mater Health Sydney
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The feedback from the appraisers particularly commended the work of St Vincent’s Private staff in reaching out to the community, as well as the ways in which the hospital recognises and rewards its nursing staff and empowers them through their involvement in decision making. St Vincent’s Private Hospital is Magnet designated until 2015. Yearly reports are to be submitted to the Magnet Recognition office, with re-application in 2014 and re-submission of the documentary evidence in 2015 for re-designation. St Vincent’s Private Hospital is set to open a state-wide psychiatric service for young adults, aged 16 to 30 years, with early psychosis or mood disorder. The 20 bed sub-acute unit will be the first such dedicated private facility in Australia and is due to be opened in early 2012. In addition to accommodating a 20-bed in-patient service, the unit will focus significantly on after-care planning prior to admission with the unit working closely with Headspace services as well as other non-governmental organisations. Mental illness is a significant health issue facing young Australians, yet the current mental health system is not adequately resourced to deal with those aged between 16 and 30. Only a quarter of those in need have access to any type of support and this population is recognised as the most in need of appropriate, age-specific mental health care. In June 2011, Friends of St Vincent’s Private Hospital was established as the hospital’s new fundraising arm. Building on the traditions of the former Ladies Committee, Friends of St Vincent’s Private Hospital’s initial focus will be the capital cost associated with the young adult mental health project. An Executive Officer was appointed and one of the first fundraising functions was held in August. Mrs Roslyn Packer AO was appointed to be Patron of Friends of St Vincent’s Private Hospital.