No. 32

Plans to upgrade neonatal intensive care services

The 2007–08 ACT Budget provides $795,000 for the forward design of a redevelopment and upgrade of neonatal intensive care services in the ACT.

Minister for Health Katy Gallagher said this additional investment would ensure increasing demand for neonatal services continued to be met. 

“This project will provide more space in the Centre for Newborn Care at the Canberra Hospital and increase capacity by six cots so that ACT and regional families are better able to access neonatal intensive care as close to home as possible,” Ms Gallagher said.

“The improvements will help the unit provide enhanced family centred care and to implement best practice developmental care which will reduce the impacts of disability in premature babies as much as possible.  

Another major benefit of the expansion will be the capacity to increase local research in this area.

“Utilisation of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Canberra Hospital is increasing due to greater numbers of premature and multiple births, an overall increase in the number of births in the ACT, and the role that the unit plays in the NSW Perinatal Services Network,” Ms Gallagher said.

“This project will create an increase in capacity of up to 25 percent across ACT Health,” she said.

The expanded centre for Newborn Care and the enhanced research capacity will enhance the ability of the facility to attract and retain the specialist staff required for this highly challenging critical environment.