In the past year Hawkesbury District Health Service admitted 10,815 patients, delivered 750 babies, performed 5648 surgical procedures and triaged 22,000 people in the emergency department, and last week it celebrated 18 years of providing health services to the Hawkesbury community.
Staff, volunteers, partners and community members were all there for the hospital’s Foundation Day on Thursday August 7, where the ceremony acknowledged the unique talents each person has brought to the hospital and highlighted the particular dedication of 85 staff and volunteers during their years of service for both HDHS and the NSW health system.
Without the more than 600 staff, 60 visiting medical officers and 137 volunteers, the hospital’s 18th birthday wouldn’t have been possible, general manager Peter Blanchard said.
“It is always an honour and pleasure to personally congratulate and thank our staff and volunteers for their years of dedicated service,” Mr Blanchard said.
‘‘We strive to retain an atmosphere of personal friendliness, hospitality and dignity as well as deliver timely health services under the stewardship of Catholic Healthcare, partnered with NSW Health and the Nepean Blue Mountain Local Health District.”
Serving an estimated 65,114 people, the hospital prides itself with having 125 beds, one gym, 24-hour emergency service, three operating theatres and a range of medical and allied health services.
HDHS is also preparing for the impact of growth and demographic changes in the Hawkesbury to improve hospital service.
“Population growth, increasing community expectations, an ageing population, obesity and lifestyle risk factors and the management of chronic and complex health conditions within the Hawkesbury community are key issues,’’ Mr Blanchard said.
‘‘New resources will be required in infrastructure and service capacity.’’