State-of-the-art hospital launches

Posted on 31 August, 2018

For patient Kathy Crick, having access to state-of-the-art facilities at the new University of Canberra Hospital Specialist Centre for Rehabilitation, Recovery and Research has been a positive step forward in her recovery process.

Kathy says she is motivated by the new surroundings, which are helping her recovery as she gets stronger in the arms and legs each day and lifts heavier weights.

“UCH is welcoming, warm and bright, with lots of sunshine in the rooms and natural light coming through all the windows,” she says.

“Places like the dining room provide a good opportunity to talk with other patients and share experiences.

“It is a supportive environment and everyone helps to motivate each other.”

Kathy was one of the first patients to be admitted at the new public hospital, which officially opened on 10 July 2018.

Patient Kathy with ACT Health Executive Director Linda Kohlhagen at the UCH open day.

The facility is Canberra’s first dedicated and purpose-built rehabilitation facility, providing support for people over the age of 18 who are experiencing mental illness or recovering from surgery, illness or injury such as stroke, amputation or a brain injury.

Neuropsychology, group therapy, physical therapy and healthy lifestyle and living skills programs are among the range of services provided at the hospital, giving rehabilitation patients access to health care and support under the one roof for the first time.

ACT Health Executive Director Linda Kohlhagen, who was in charge of the operational commissioning of UCH, says the benefits of moving these services from Calvary and Canberra Hospital to the new facility means a boost in specialised care.

“The facility moves rehabilitation patients out of an acute hospital setting, such as Canberra Hospital and Calvary Public Hospital Bruce, and into a purpose built facility where the therapeutic environment promotes recovery and encourages activity, independence and autonomy,” Linda says.

“We know a person’s environment can impact the success of their recovery, so there’s been a considerable amount of work that’s gone into the design, amenities and layout that will enable the clinicians to provide care and support that is unique to every patient.

“Particularly in the mental health rehabilitation services, there has been an expansion in the programs that can be provided to each individual than they might have previously been provided due to limitations of space.”

For example, patients in the Mental Health Rehabilitation Unit now have access to purpose built therapy spaces including art therapy rooms, a meditation space, purpose built kitchens and a small gym.

UCH has a state-of-the-art hydrotherapy pool, four therapeutic gymnasiums, 18 landscaped courtyards, including those that have been specifically designed to be therapeutic i.e. the mobility garden. There is a café on sight, and views of the Brindabella Mountains throughout the facility.

“We have dedicated patient kitchens, laundries and bathrooms that reflect what people have at home. These are effective therapeutic spaces which are effective in helping patients practice” Linda says.

“All of the single rooms have their own ensuites.”

At full capacity, the hospital will have 140 inpatient beds. There will also be 75-day places and additional outpatient services to assist in recovery. The facility does not have an Emergency Department or perform surgical operations, with a referral required. At this point in time, there are over 300 staff based at the hospital.

Linda says the hospital’s location at the University of Canberra presents other exciting opportunities.

“It means better opportunities for student education and research, and hopefully the collaboration with the University of Canberra not only contributes to improving the skills and expertise of our clinicians but also the health and well being of the community as a whole.” 

the essentials

What: University of Canberra Hospital Specialist Centre for Rehabilitation, Recovery and Research
Where: Located on the north-western side of the University of Canberra Campus, at the corner of Ginninderra Drive and Aikman Drive in Bruce.
When: Now open. Please note you must have a referral for UCH and cannot present there in emergency. For emergencies, please visit Calvary Public Hospital in Bruce (north side residents) or Canberra Hospital in Garran (south side residents).
Web: health.act.gov.au/uch

This is a sponsored post. Read our Sponsored Post Policy if you would like more information.