Today I visited patients on the postnatal ward at the SAN (Sydney Adventist Hospital).
What impacted me is something I have been aware of since the Clifford Tower opened. That is how good the postnatal ward is.
The postnatal ward is actually two joined (Baldwin North and Baldwin West) wards which have the same layout. They each have 20 suites (40 in total) and large, pleasant, neat and clean, well appointed, well maintained and orderly wards.
The patients’ suites are spacious, warm and inviting. They create a comfortable environment for you, your bub and visiting family and friends. Patients comment to me that they are very happy with them. There are two large nurse areas in each of the two wards. Between the nurses’ stations and the patients’ suites are wide walkways. Patient suites have large windows out. Being on the 10th floor of Clark Tower all suites have good views over local bushland create a calming atmosphere.
Each postnatal suite has a wide bed/couch for husbands/ partners stay and sleep. There is no charge if your husband/ partner stays. The suites have well large and well-equipped bath suites.
Thoughtful details include breastfeeding chairs, baby bath facilities, refrigerators, safes, flat screen TVs, and Wi-Fi. The maternity ward is locked for you and your baby’s security, with surveillance cameras installed throughout.
Outside each suite is a computer terminal. So, it is very easy to login and check patient notes and make entries to patient notes. I can even make entries from my office or from home. Except for medication orders notes are all computerised. That means I can look up at home a patient’s notes after her discharge, if needed. There are multiple computer terminals at each nurse’s station.
The excellent positive atmosphere between staff is very obvious. There is good camaraderie team atmosphere. Many midwives on the postnatal ward have been on staff at the SAN many years. That means these midwives are very experienced. Also, that continuity of employment indicates they are happy working at the SAN. Midwives are on hand 24/7.
Patients are looked after by experienced midwives. As English is the mother tongue of most midwives there are no issues with accents and understanding.
There are lactation specialists to help with breast feeding and patients can learn how to bath their babies in their suites.
Midwives are very supportive of me. They will update me by text of phone if they have any queries or concerns about my patients.
As I have been on staff since February 1986, I know most of the midwives well. It is great atmosphere for me to work and for me also to have friendly chats with staff when I visit.
