Last week the Rockhampton community commemorated another year of private emergency care service right on their doorstep as Mater Rockhampton’s Emergency Department celebrated their second anniversary.
Since opening its door to patients across the Rockhampton region in 2018, the centre has provided emergency care to the community welcoming up to 30 presentations each day.
Boasting minimal wait times and access to specialist medical services, the department comprises of a clinical team of Emergency Specialists and some of the state’s best surgeons who work to provide expert care 365 days a year.
Nurse Unit Manager from the Mater Rockhampton Emergency Department, Joyce Jaquet said no two days are the same for the regional emergency department.
“On any given day, we may see someone who needs cardiac care all the way through to providing a plaster for a broken bone.”
“It is really rewarding to the first point of care for people within our community with a big part of our day based on building genuine, caring connections with people by helping them in their time of need.”
Executive Officer of Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton, Sue Thurbon said the opening of the Emergency Department was a big step forward for healthcare in the local region and since then has provided a much-needed service for the community.
“The opening Mater Rockhampton’s Emergency Department meant filling a much-needed gap in healthcare for our Rockhampton community,” Mrs Thurbon said.
“We are providing people in some of Queensland’s more remote regions with the same level of private healthcare available in our major cities, with highly-trained and experienced emergency specialists and on-site radiology and pathology services.”
“As a team, we are here when you or your family need us most. We are focused on treating people promptly at times of unexpected illness or injury, ensuring minimal wait times and the delivery of quality, values-based care to anyone who needs it.”
Mater Health Regional Executive Director, North and Central Queensland Gerard Wyvill said providing Rockhampton with emergency services has been an important step forward for the overall healthcare of the community.
“Private emergency departments play a critical role in regional Queensland communities to provide exceptional medical care that is accessible to anyone, regardless of their location,” Mr Wyvill said.
“Here in Rockhampton, since introducing Mater’s emergency department, we have seen a great response from the community knowing that they have a localised, emergency trained doctors and nurse who are ready to provide the emergency care they need, right in their local area.”
The emergency department is open between the hours of 7 am and 11 pm all year round with patients able to present directly via the Hospital’s Ward Street entrance or they can request to be taken by ambulance. The centre is open to the public with no appointment or referral required and does not necessitate private health insurance.