Leading light shows the way at new burns unit

• State Burns Service to open as part of the Fiona Stanley Hospital opening Phase 3

• Patients to be moved from Royal Perth Hospital to new burns unit on February 7

Led by one of the world's leading burns experts, Professor Fiona Wood AM, Western Australia's internationally recognised burns service will move from Royal Perth Hospital early next month as part of the final opening stages of Fiona Stanley Hospital.

Touring the facility today with the head of the Fiona Stanley Hospital State Burns Service, Professor Fiona Wood, Health Minister Kim Hames said once operational, the burns unit would have direct access to the emergency department, intensive care, operating theatres and the helipad.

"Professor Wood was always very clear about what she needed for the State Burns Service to be the best it could be and I was careful to make sure her vision could be realised at Fiona Stanley Hospital," Dr Hames said.

"The whole design of the unit is a credit to Professor Wood's experience and expertise because it's all about putting the patient in the best possible place - physically and mentally - for the best possible recovery outcomes.

"For example, the operating theatre has a dedicated setup room where the temperature can be adjusted to between 16° and 42° Celsius according to the needs of individual patients.

"The rooms on the ward can also be thermostatically controlled, which is vital to the comfort and care of burns patients."

Professor Wood is delighted with the progress of the new burns unit and while eager for the move to progress smoothly, is keen to start work at Fiona Stanley Hospital next month.

"I've always said that the quality of outcome must be worth the pain of survival, and with the right equipment, the right people and the right environment, good outcomes become more real for everyone," Professor Wood said.

With a purpose-built 10-bed inpatient ward, outpatient treatment services and facilities to co-ordinate a burns management program, the burns unit will provide high-quality care as well as access to a State-wide assessment, referral and management service.

The burns unit also includes a gym and rehabilitation area, training areas with dining and kitchen facilities and a range of treatment, procedure and therapy rooms for inpatients and outpatients.

       Fact File

• State Burns Service outpatient clinics will see about 150 patients a week when they commence in February

• For more information, visit http://getthebiggerpicture.health.wa.gov.au

Minister's office - 6552 5300