Portland District Health Annual Report 2007 - South West Alliance of ...

Portland District Health
Nursing
37 BEDS AVAILABLE
7,188 A&E PRESENTATIONS
151 BIRTHS
(30% rise from 2005/06)
9,217 DISTRICT NURSING
VISITS
11 HOSPITAL IN
THE HOME
70,000 SURGICAL ITEMS
PROCESSED
THROUGH CSSD
ACUTE INPATIENT CARE
Over the past year, acute service delivery has seen an increase in births,
palliative and chronic health conditions with a reduction in surgical cases noted.
In January 2006 five
new graduate nurses
commenced employment
at Portland District
Health. These nurses
work within a planned
rotation program
through various nursing
departments as they
consolidate their training.
The emphasis in rural health has been on multi-skilling to meet the challenges
of providing medical, surgical, rehabilitation, paediatric, palliative, aged and
obstetric services within one clinical department. The increase in aged patients
requiring care in Victorian acute hospitals has become evident, particularly
in Portland. The nursing staff has responded to this demand through the
development of educational workshops relating to aged care health issues.
The nursing team has focused on preventative health care in the form of
pressure injury, risk screening and falls prevention systems to ensure best
patient outcomes.
MATERNITY SERVICES
Over the past 12 months, Portland District Health has seen a 30% increase in
women choosing to birth here.
In addition to increasing continuity for women, the Maternity Model of Care
aims to attract and retain midwifery staff and to encourage the development of
increased midwifery skills to help ensure the continuity of maternity services
at Portland District Health. The maternity service operates within and from the
Acute Ward.
18 PORTLAND DISTRICT HEALTH • ANNUAL REPORT 06/07