In a first for NSW, children will soon have access to state-of-the-art positive pressure isolation rooms at Sydney’s children’s hospitals to help keep kids safe by reducing the risk of exposure to viruses and other infections for immune compromised children.
The isolation rooms will be built into the cancer care wards and intensive care units at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick.
These upgrades are another significant step in the NSW Government’s commitment to rebuild essential health services with the September budget including a landmark $3 billion for new and upgraded hospitals across greater Western Sydney.
The positive air pressure is created using a specialised air ventilation system, preventing airflow between the corridor into the patient’s bedroom. This offers significant benefits for improved infection control.
The technology significantly reduces the chance of airborne pathogens from the outside environment (such as viruses) reaching immunocompromised patients, such as cancer or transplant patients.
Known as Positive Pressure Ventilation Anterooms (PPVA), the rooms function as a protective shield and will help protect some of the sickest and most vulnerable children.
The Children’s Hospital at Westmead have developed prototypes of the new rooms to enable staff to familiarise themselves with the design and the technology.
These prototype rooms will allow staff to adapt the layout and design of vital spaces before they are built and allow simulation and training in the new and improved working environments.
In another first for paediatric healthcare in NSW, carer zones will also be introduced in intensive care units at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, which will allow parents and carers to remain with children while they are in hospital.
The isolation rooms are expected to be completed at both hospitals in 2025.
Premier Chris Minns said:
“The NSW Government is committed to rebuilding essential health services with significant investments in both staff and infrastructure.
“This technology is something that paediatric healthcare has never had before in NSW, making it a first for both the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network and the state.
“For kids who are immunosuppressed, being able to reduce the risk of getting a virus or a cold is so important during what is usually intense treatment, and that’s why we want to ensure our hospitals have the ability to protect sick kids and their families as much as possible.”
Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said:
“This is a great investment in the future health services for Western Sydney. I am proud to be part of a government that is delivering for one of the fastest growing regions in the country.
“It is just part of a massive investment in health in Western Sydney by the Minns Labor government.”
Minister for Health Ryan Park said:
“These PPVAs are a crucial tool in helping us protect seriously ill and severely immunocompromised children.
“These new facilities for the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network will benefit patients and their families who are navigating challenging, and often very complex, health concerns.
“The carer zones – which were championed by staff and families – will also provide more support, setting a new standard for family-centred care across our hospitals.”
Member for Parramatta Donna Davis said:
“These state-of-the-art prototype rooms have been developed in consultation with the amazing nurses and clinicians here at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
“The prototype spaces being unveiled today will ensure The Children’s Hospital at Westmead continues to be a leader in providing care for sick children across NSW.”
Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network’s Chief Executive Cathryn Cox PSM said:
“By integrating advanced clinical services under one roof and introducing carer zones throughout the new hospitals, the network can provide more holistic support and quality care to every patient that comes through the doors while offering families a place of comfort and respite.
“The prototype spaces at Westmead and Randwick have already been viewed by clinical staff and hospital families, who have provided invaluable feedback about the layout and functionality of the rooms.”