$20 million surgery centre opens in Charlestown in big private health move
The Ramsay Health Care centre includes three operating theatres with capacity to expand to four, along with 12 inpatient beds and the latest medical equipment.
It provides specialist services including endoscopy, oral and maxillofacial surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, ENT, gynaecology and Mohs skin cancer surgery.
Ramsay - the country's largest private hospital operator - also owns Lake Macquarie and Warners Bay private hospitals.
Its new centre was designed to "meet growing local demand for surgical procedures close to home and reduce pressure on larger hospitals in the region".
The move comes amid volatility in the sector with the receivership of Healthscope, whose hospitals include Newcastle and Hunter Valley private.
Private hospitals have been locked in a battle with health insurers for higher payments to cover the rising costs of treating patients.
Claire Thurwood, CEO of Ramsay Surgical Centres, said the Charlestown site "demonstrates Ramsay's focus on improving access to high-quality surgical care in regional communities".
"This investment means that residents of Newcastle and surrounding areas have access to the same high-quality surgical services available in major metropolitan centres," Ms Thurwood said.
"Importantly, it also supports better care co-ordination across Ramsay's existing hospitals in the region, helping patients move more easily through the system."
Oral maxillofacial surgeon Ben Gupta said the new centre would "benefit local patients and clinicians".
"It's exciting to be part of this modern facility that will provide exceptional patient care. It's a great step forward for specialist care in the region," Dr Gupta said.
The Newcastle Herald recently reported a $5 million clinical trials operation - run by Novatrials - will open in Charlestown in August.
Along with the surgical centre, this clinical trials operation is based at the Charlestown Health Hub.
The hub also includes imaging, pathology, a GP clinic and skin cancer clinic.
Meanwhile, the Albanese government has called for expressions of interest for an urgent care clinic at Maitland.
Paterson MP Meryl Swanson said "this is fantastic news for our community and a big win for locals".
The Medicare clinics provide "walk-in, bulk-billed treatment for urgent but non-life-threatening emergencies".
They aim to reduce pressure on emergency departments.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said the clinics were "filling the gap between GPs and hospital emergency rooms".
The Newcastle Herald reported in April that high demand for the clinics at Charlestown and Lake Haven had prompted the government to expand them.
At the time, Mr Butler said those two clinics were "some of the busiest in the country".
Labor made an election promise to fund a second doctor at the clinics.
As of now, the government funds the clinics with about $1.2 million a year for one doctor, nurse, receptionist and running costs.
A $20 million surgical centre has opened in Charlestown, boosting access for patients to numerous procedures.
The Ramsay Health Care centre includes three operating theatres with capacity to expand to four, along with 12 inpatient beds and the latest medical equipment.
It provides specialist services including endoscopy, oral and maxillofacial surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, ENT, gynaecology and Mohs skin cancer surgery.
Ramsay - the country's largest private hospital operator - also owns Lake Macquarie and Warners Bay private hospitals.
Its new centre was designed to "meet growing local demand for surgical procedures close to home and reduce pressure on larger hospitals in the region".
The move comes amid volatility in the sector with the receivership of Healthscope, whose hospitals include Newcastle and Hunter Valley private.
Private hospitals have been locked in a battle with health insurers for higher payments to cover the rising costs of treating patients.
Claire Thurwood, CEO of Ramsay Surgical Centres, said the Charlestown site "demonstrates Ramsay's focus on improving access to high-quality surgical care in regional communities".
"This investment means that residents of Newcastle and surrounding areas have access to the same high-quality surgical services available in major metropolitan centres," Ms Thurwood said.
"Importantly, it also supports better care co-ordination across Ramsay's existing hospitals in the region, helping patients move more easily through the system."
Oral maxillofacial surgeon Ben Gupta said the new centre would "benefit local patients and clinicians".
"It's exciting to be part of this modern facility that will provide exceptional patient care. It's a great step forward for specialist care in the region," Dr Gupta said.
The Newcastle Herald recently reported a $5 million clinical trials operation - run by Novatrials - will open in Charlestown in August.
Along with the surgical centre, this clinical trials operation is based at the Charlestown Health Hub.
The hub also includes imaging, pathology, a GP clinic and skin cancer clinic.
Meanwhile, the Albanese government has called for expressions of interest for an urgent care clinic at Maitland.
Paterson MP Meryl Swanson said "this is fantastic news for our community and a big win for locals".
The Medicare clinics provide "walk-in, bulk-billed treatment for urgent but non-life-threatening emergencies".
They aim to reduce pressure on emergency departments.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said the clinics were "filling the gap between GPs and hospital emergency rooms".
The Newcastle Herald reported in April that high demand for the clinics at Charlestown and Lake Haven had prompted the government to expand them.
At the time, Mr Butler said those two clinics were "some of the busiest in the country".
Labor made an election promise to fund a second doctor at the clinics.
As of now, the government funds the clinics with about $1.2 million a year for one doctor, nurse, receptionist and running costs.
A $20 million surgical centre has opened in Charlestown, boosting access for patients to numerous procedures.
The Ramsay Health Care centre includes three operating theatres with capacity to expand to four, along with 12 inpatient beds and the latest medical equipment.
It provides specialist services including endoscopy, oral and maxillofacial surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, ENT, gynaecology and Mohs skin cancer surgery.
Ramsay - the country's largest private hospital operator - also owns Lake Macquarie and Warners Bay private hospitals.
Its new centre was designed to "meet growing local demand for surgical procedures close to home and reduce pressure on larger hospitals in the region".
The move comes amid volatility in the sector with the receivership of Healthscope, whose hospitals include Newcastle and Hunter Valley private.
Private hospitals have been locked in a battle with health insurers for higher payments to cover the rising costs of treating patients.
Claire Thurwood, CEO of Ramsay Surgical Centres, said the Charlestown site "demonstrates Ramsay's focus on improving access to high-quality surgical care in regional communities".
"This investment means that residents of Newcastle and surrounding areas have access to the same high-quality surgical services available in major metropolitan centres," Ms Thurwood said.
"Importantly, it also supports better care co-ordination across Ramsay's existing hospitals in the region, helping patients move more easily through the system."
Oral maxillofacial surgeon Ben Gupta said the new centre would "benefit local patients and clinicians".
"It's exciting to be part of this modern facility that will provide exceptional patient care. It's a great step forward for specialist care in the region," Dr Gupta said.
The Newcastle Herald recently reported a $5 million clinical trials operation - run by Novatrials - will open in Charlestown in August.
Along with the surgical centre, this clinical trials operation is based at the Charlestown Health Hub.
The hub also includes imaging, pathology, a GP clinic and skin cancer clinic.
Meanwhile, the Albanese government has called for expressions of interest for an urgent care clinic at Maitland.
Paterson MP Meryl Swanson said "this is fantastic news for our community and a big win for locals".
The Medicare clinics provide "walk-in, bulk-billed treatment for urgent but non-life-threatening emergencies".
They aim to reduce pressure on emergency departments.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said the clinics were "filling the gap between GPs and hospital emergency rooms".
The Newcastle Herald reported in April that high demand for the clinics at Charlestown and Lake Haven had prompted the government to expand them.
At the time, Mr Butler said those two clinics were "some of the busiest in the country".
Labor made an election promise to fund a second doctor at the clinics.
As of now, the government funds the clinics with about $1.2 million a year for one doctor, nurse, receptionist and running costs.
A $20 million surgical centre has opened in Charlestown, boosting access for patients to numerous procedures.
The Ramsay Health Care centre includes three operating theatres with capacity to expand to four, along with 12 inpatient beds and the latest medical equipment.
It provides specialist services including endoscopy, oral and maxillofacial surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, ENT, gynaecology and Mohs skin cancer surgery.
Ramsay - the country's largest private hospital operator - also owns Lake Macquarie and Warners Bay private hospitals.
Its new centre was designed to "meet growing local demand for surgical procedures close to home and reduce pressure on larger hospitals in the region".
The move comes amid volatility in the sector with the receivership of Healthscope, whose hospitals include Newcastle and Hunter Valley private.
Private hospitals have been locked in a battle with health insurers for higher payments to cover the rising costs of treating patients.
Claire Thurwood, CEO of Ramsay Surgical Centres, said the Charlestown site "demonstrates Ramsay's focus on improving access to high-quality surgical care in regional communities".
"This investment means that residents of Newcastle and surrounding areas have access to the same high-quality surgical services available in major metropolitan centres," Ms Thurwood said.
"Importantly, it also supports better care co-ordination across Ramsay's existing hospitals in the region, helping patients move more easily through the system."
Oral maxillofacial surgeon Ben Gupta said the new centre would "benefit local patients and clinicians".
"It's exciting to be part of this modern facility that will provide exceptional patient care. It's a great step forward for specialist care in the region," Dr Gupta said.
The Newcastle Herald recently reported a $5 million clinical trials operation - run by Novatrials - will open in Charlestown in August.
Along with the surgical centre, this clinical trials operation is based at the Charlestown Health Hub.
The hub also includes imaging, pathology, a GP clinic and skin cancer clinic.
Meanwhile, the Albanese government has called for expressions of interest for an urgent care clinic at Maitland.
Paterson MP Meryl Swanson said "this is fantastic news for our community and a big win for locals".
The Medicare clinics provide "walk-in, bulk-billed treatment for urgent but non-life-threatening emergencies".
They aim to reduce pressure on emergency departments.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said the clinics were "filling the gap between GPs and hospital emergency rooms".
The Newcastle Herald reported in April that high demand for the clinics at Charlestown and Lake Haven had prompted the government to expand them.
At the time, Mr Butler said those two clinics were "some of the busiest in the country".
Labor made an election promise to fund a second doctor at the clinics.
As of now, the government funds the clinics with about $1.2 million a year for one doctor, nurse, receptionist and running costs.
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