Star Weekly is looking back at some of the best stories from 2023, this is one of them.
September 19
Wyndham’s status as the fastest growing local government area in Australia comes with a price.
The influx of people to the municipality is putting increasing strain on essential services and infrastructure, none more so that health and hospitals.
Wyndham is reportedly already 300 hospital beds short and with much of the population growth driven by young families, demand for maternity and paediatric services is particularly acute.
While mostly the responsibility of the public system, private hospitals like St Vincent’s Werribee are increasingly entering the paediatric space to help meet demand.
Since opening its paediatric ward in 2018 more than an 1800 paediatric cases have been treated at St Vincent’s Werribee, which specialises in ear, nose and throat (ENT) paediatric survey and dental paediatric surgery.
St Vincent’s Werribee general manager Emma Saliba said they were proud of their dual role of easing demand and treating young families in the community in which they live.
“The western community is growing and with that comes a greater population of children. Being able to provide care for them close to home is important to us and makes it easier for parents,” she said.
Among the children being cared for close to home is 8-year-old Wyndham Vale boy Avyan Marthur who entered St Vincent’s on the morning of September 8 to be operated on by ear, nose and neck surgeon Dr Muthukumar Subramaniyan.
Originally from India, Dr Subramaniyan is one of a number of paediatric surgeons and paediatricians now based at St Vincent’s Werribee, treating children of all ages, from infants through to teens.
While 8-year-old Avyan looked right out home ahead of his surgery, not every child is quite so relaxed when in hospital, especially for an operation.
Nurse unit manager Chloe Martinich said ensuring children felt comfortable was a key part of paediatric care.
“We look after patients from 12 months and above and our nurses go above and beyond to make the little ones feel safe and at ease,” said she said.
“Our wonderful staff have specialised training to give our littlest patients the best care possible.”
