Hansard - ACT Legislative Assembly

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 6 Hansard (22 June) . . Page.. 1747 ..

Canberra Hospital Intensive Care Unit

(Question No. 161)

Mr Stanhope asked the Minister for Health and Community Care, upon notice, on 4 May 1999:

In relation to The Canberra Hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU):

(1) How many beds are currently in operation at the ICU.

(2) How many ICU beds are dedicated to (a) cardiothoracic surgery, (b) Southcare

aeromedical treatment and (c) other surgery.

(3) Were additional ICU beds and staff provided as a result of the introduction of

cardiothoracic surgery and the Southcare helicopter service.

(4) What has been the occupancy rate of the ICU since January 1999.

Mr Moore

: - The answer to the Member's question is:

(1) Staffing is provided to allow for 13 beds on a 1: 1 ratio.

(2) (a) Three beds are dedicated to cardiothoracic surgery patients

b) and (c) Southcare and other surgical patients are accommodated in the

remaining 10 beds

(3) Three additional ICU beds have been provided for cardiothoracic surgery

patients since the commencement of cardiac surgery. No additional beds were

provided for Southcare patients.

(4) The bed occupancy for the ICU from January to March 1999 has averaged

10.23 per day.