WA Governor Chris Dawson impressed during visit to Collie Health Service
WA Governor Chris Dawson and wife Darrilyn Dawson inspect Collie Health Service’s state-of-the-art operating theatre with Wellington Hospitals Director of Nursing/Health Service Manager Barry Moroney.
A tour of Collie Health Service’s state-of-the-art operating theatre and demonstration of our award-winning Emergency Telehealth Service (ETS) were among the highlights during a recent visit by His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson AC APM, Governor of Western Australia.
The visit was part of a broader South West tour that saw the Governor meet with hospital staff, inpatients and members of WA Country Health Service’s Leschenault-Wellington District Health Advisory Council.
Health Service Manager Barry Moroney said staff were excited to showcase the hospital, which has undergone major infrastructure upgrades in recent years.
“The Governor was very impressed with the new operating theatre, particularly the design of the Day Procedure Unit, and the technology that’s been incorporated,” Mr Moroney said.
The operating theatre underwent a $14.7 million upgrade in 2023 and is equipped for a range of general surgical, obstetric and dental procedures.
Improvements to the theatre waiting room and reception were included in the works, along with the construction of a new consult room and the installation of telehealth technology.
“The ETS demonstration involved linking with our emergency telehealth practitioners in Perth as if they were treating a patient, utilising the resuscitation bay and associated virtual care equipment,” Mr Moroney said.
“The Governor was impressed as he was able to discuss processes with the ETS Clinical Nurse Consultant and the Command Centre Manager via the telehealth link.
“He also expressed his appreciation for all the staff at Collie Health Service for the exceptional services they provide to their local communities.”
Collie Health Service staff were on hand for 547 emergency department attendances, 38 surgical procedures and 70 inpatient admissions per month in the 2024-25 financial year.
As well as a 24-hour emergency department, the hospital also offers a range of inpatient care, medical imaging and community health services.