Year in Review 2021

OUR HOSPITALS WSLHD YEAR IN REVIEW 3

Westmead Hospital

Westmead received a $50,000 grant from gaming giant for heart attack simulator

The simulation happens in real-time so every decision must be made quickly. This support could significantly expand the capabilities of the training program, according to Nathan Moore – Digital Innovation Lead at Western Sydney Local Health District’s Research and Education Network. The program was developed by Nathan Moore and Martin Brown from the University of Sydney’s Westmead Initiative. The pair have also worked together on other virtual reality training programs including Code Black, which trains frontline workers in de-escalation techniques with agitated patients and visitors. The team is working on other training applications for the futuristic technology, including areas such as clinical handover and undergraduate education. Westmead Emergency opens new era for Western Sydney healthcare A 42-year service closed its doors this morning then instantly re-opened a new era as Westmead Hospital’s Emergency Department relocated to its new high-tech home. As the clock ticked 8am on the 17th of February, 2021, sliding doors to the emergency department (ED) met for the last time and marked the next chapter for staff and almost two million patients since it first opened in 1979. Three hundred metres away at the centre of Westmead Health Precinct, the new state-of-the-art unit in the Central Acute Services Building (CASB) simultaneously welcomed Western Sydney to healthcare’s future. Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) Chief Executive Graeme Loy

said the relocation to the 14-level CASB was designed to offer an even better service for its communities, offering new treatment spaces and equipment, and providing patients and carers with easier access and drop-off. Centrally located in the precinct, the relocation moves us one step closer to the full opening of the Central Acute Services Building. Westmead Hospital General Manager Rebecca Tyson said the relocation marked an important piece of history in healthcare and was a credit to all staff, because of the years of planning and all the hard work that had been done. And it didn’t take long before months of staff training, simulations and tests to gauge equipment and new spaces turned to reality when the first patient – 96-year-old George Nicholas from Bossley Park – was assisted through the doors by son Marcel. In a series of milestone moments, 8.10am marked the first ambulance to arrive at the new ED and 11.15am signalled the last of the test choppers to land on the 14th- level helipad. The centrepiece of the $1 billion-plus Westmead Redevelopment, the CASB will provide Western Sydney with high-quality healthcare, research and educational facilities for decades to come. The new hospital will feature two new emergency departments – one for adults, one for children – more than 300 patient rooms, 25 digital operating theatres and a suite of other features.

The engine behind action scenes in The Mandalorian and blockbuster video games including Rocket League is throwing its weight behind an innovative health training program at Westmead Hospital. Advanced Life Support (ALS) Sim-VR – a virtual reality program designed to train nurses and doctors in critical decisions – is the recipient of an Epic MegaGrant from Epic Games. ALS is a set of skills needed in any hospital setting to save someone suffering cardiac arrest. The ‘player’ must control a virtual team trying to assist a patient suffering from cardiac arrest. The virtual reality program allows people to pull on a headset in the location of their choice and practice their skills in real time, making quick decisions to

ultimately save a patient’s life. The American company behind

incredibly successful Unreal Engine and video games including Rocket League have fronted up US$50,000 for the team at Westmead.

“The simulation happens in real-time so every decision must be made quickly.”

The grant also provides money-can’t- buy access to Epic Games’ team of programmers, engineers and designers for troubleshooting and development.

For a full list of services, visit www.wslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/ Westmead-Hospital/Our-Services

Above, from left WSLHD Lead for Educational Innovation and Technology Nathan Moore with the Westmead REN Simlab Virtual Reality equipment. Westmead emergency department staff specialist team prepare to start work at the new Westmead emergency department.

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