Director's message

One of many current buzz terms in health care is Disruptive Innovation in Health Care. It is one way of re-casting health care to be more effective whilst more efficient and cost-effective. Let's see how each of these terms relates to NETS.

Firstly, Disruption.
Nothing is more disruptive to families than having a child who is sick and who needs transfer urgently to another hospital for care. Yet this is what NETS is all about. NETS steps in to assist families and children; sometimes causing disruption in the interests of saving a life or preventing a long term problem for the child.

Secondly, Innovation.
Innovation is a key element in what we do and how we do it better. Innovation is part of the quality cycle.

Thirdly, Health.
Health is always in our minds as the expectation and goal of everything we do for a sick or injured patient. The reality of an emergency service is focussed on illness or injury. So in our daily activity we are thinking more about Illness than Health.

Last but not least, Care.
NETS is about Care; first and foremost. Care for a child in a local hospital; while we are far away. Care in supporting local clinicians whilst we and our tertiary colleagues are remote. Care in preparing, stabilising and transporting sick patients to an appropriate destination. Care of our teams in delivering all these things; including ensuring skills and equipment are up to the task.

There is nothing intrinsically desirable about moving patients - particularly when it is urgent, unplanned and/or surrounded by unfamiliarity. We should always be aware of the implications for our patients of what we do for them and their families in seeking to help them. The advantages of moving a child to be in the right place for the right problem at the right time must be seen against a background of benefit outweighing risk. Solutions which don't involve a transfer, or avoid unnecessarily complex or costly movements while at the same time achieve the desired outcome for all are always preferable. Flying for flying's sake is not justified. Just because we can is not sufficient reason.

In December 2015 it was announced that NETS headquarters would be moved from its current location at Westmead Hospital to Bankstown Airport. This decision flows from development plans for the Westmead Hospital which require the space occupied by NETS (and the NETS heliport) as well as the adjoining multi-level carpark to be replaced by a new Acute Services Block.