New garden project open to all Exciting, new specialist unit

Another first for nursingA first for Caulfield Hospital will also translate into a major winfor the surrounding community, improving care and potentiallypreventing hospital admissions.Psychiatric nurse Conny Brune is poised to become Victoria’s first nursepractitioner in aged psychiatry when she is endorsed at the end of 2012.Director of aged psychiatry, Associate Professor Steve Macfarlane saysthe demands facing the healthcare of older people with mental illnesshas driven the need for alternative models of care.“We have a rapidly ageing population and a nursing home populationthat is much sicker compared to 20 years ago,” A/Prof Macfarlane said.“It is difficult to get timely assessments for nursing home patientsvia GPs and this can result in unnecessary physical illness leadingto avoidable hospital admissions, inappropriate use of psychotropicmedication, delayed treatment, and potential deaths. Dementia isexpected to triple between the years 2005 and 2030 and the numberof doctors working in aged psychiatry is not growing to meet demand.”Conny is being trained to provide comprehensive psychiatric assessmentsto diagnose the cause of challenging behaviours, which could bedue to delirium, (commonin those acutely unwell withphysical problems), dementiaor other reasons like depressionor psychosis. She will thenbe able to order appropriateinvestigations, including pathologyand X-rays, and treat patientsin collaboration with the GP,families, specialists and nursinghome staff.“Patients from within Caulfield Nurse practitioner candidate Conny Brune.Hospital’s catchment area willbe referred to me – that includes24 nursing homes (approx. 1400 beds) in the cities of Glen Eira,Stonnington and Port Phillip,” Conny said.“We are hoping this role will allow us to assess people quicker,investigate their conditions and treat them quicker, preventinghospital admissions and ultimately save lives,” A/Prof Macfarlane added.2012 Annual Appeal resultsCaulfield Hospital is so grateful to its donors for their ongoing,generous support. Thanks to your amazing response to the 2012Annual Appeal, a range of equipment has just been ordered.With your gifts, we have been able to purchase several items for therehabilitation wards including three hover transfer mats (to safely movepatients from bed to chair), two vital signs monitors and a self-propelledmobile shower commode.We were also able to purchase several items for the physiotherapydepartment, including a manual tilt in space wheelchair, bariatricwheelchair and a treatment plinth.Added to these pieces of equipment, several donors made outrightdonations for two memory foam arm chairs, a clinical pilates reformerand a Nintendo wii for neurological rehabilitation patients.Thank you so much to all our donors, whose contributions continue tomake a significant difference to the resources at our disposal, allowingus to best care for our many patients.Contact usFundraising departmentCaulfield Hospital260 Kooyong RoadCaulfield, Victoria 3162Telephone: (03) 9076 6275Facsimile: (03) 9076 6434Email: fundraising@cgmc.org.auWeb: www.caulfieldhospital.org.auYes, I would like to make a donation to Caulfield Hospital.Here is my tax deductible gift:$20 $50 $100 $500 Other $Please find enclosed my:chequeOR please debit:money order (Payable to Caulfield Hospital)Bankcard Visa Mastercard DinersCard number:Name: Mr / Mrs / Miss / MsAddressPhone:Donations over $2 are tax deductible. Please return this coupon to:Caulfield Hospital260 Kooyong Rd, Caulfield 3162Ph: (03) 9076 6000 Fax: (03) 9076 6434PostcodeSignature Expires /ABN 27 318 956 319Caulfield Hospital is a registered charity under Deductible Gift legislation.