MORE changes are on the way for Mount Gambier Hospital with Country Health SA South East regional director Ngaire Buchanan keen to improve the hospital’s environment for patients and visitors.
The volunteer program in particular will receive alterations with more opportunities for the community to become involved in the facility.
Undergoing a major cultural shake-up, plans are under way to expand its volunteer program, including placing community members in the emergency department for the first time.
This innovative plan was among the new initiatives unveiled at a major health forum in Mount Gambier.
Speaking at the health talkfest, Country Health SA South East regional director Ngaire Buchanan – who has been in the prominent role for just three months – said she wanted to improve the hospital’s environment for patients and visitors.
“If I saw a volunteer, I would have no idea if they were a volunteer,” Ms Buchanan said.
“I am pleased to say we are expanding our volunteer program.”
She revealed plans were under way to provide volunteers across the hospital footprint, including the carpark.
Ms Buchanan said work had also begun to develop a uniform so volunteers could be easily identified.
Patrons attending the South East Field Days last month were given the opportunity to vote on uniform designs.
“We are also looking at introducing the friends of the emergency department – these are volunteers that can actually help us,” she explained.
Ms Buchanan said this initiative had already been rolled out successfully at other hospitals.
“This will help people and visitors in our emergency department,” she said.
“If people feel they cannot ask a staff member because they look busy, a volunteer can actually go and do that. They will also be able to make people a cup of tea and become part of the team.”
She said volunteers would receive training and be part of a “great team”.
Ms Buchanan said work was also under way with the region’s indigenous partners to ensure the emergency department did not appear too clinical and was a welcomivng environment.
Furthermore, she said there were also plans to instil a “family-centred” approach within the hospital.
“We can actually use techniques – used at other children’s hospitals – that can reduce stress on the family and on the children,” Ms Buchanan said.
She said this could include having a water birthing suite in maternity as well as additional training for staff.
This additional training could include how to reduce the stress on a child when they are having intravenous equipment inserted.
Moreover, Ms Buchanan said a new program – Comprehensive Care for the Older People – would also be introduced, covering a patient’s whole journey.
The program would work with aged care providers and SA Ambulance to ensure a “smooth” service to and from an acute service.
