New equipment to support faster emergency care at Singleton Hospital

Patients arriving at Singleton Hospital Emergency Department now have access to faster bedside assessment and diagnosis, thanks to new point-of-care ultrasound equipment funded through Glencore Coal’s Community Investment Program.

Singleton provides 24-hour care for adults and children and treats around 17,300 patients each year, including people from surrounding communities such as Broke, Camberwell, Jerrys Plains, Belford, Greenlands and Goorangoola.

The new ultrasound equipment allows clinicians to assess patients at the bedside, supporting faster diagnosis and treatment across a range of emergency presentations including trauma, cardiac conditions, abdominal pain, pregnancy complications and paediatric emergencies.

Debra McDougall, John Hunter Hospital Area Trauma Clinical Nurse Consultant said the technology was particularly valuable in a regional emergency setting.

“Point-of-care ultrasound provides clinicians with vital information at the bedside and will help assess patients quickly and determine the next steps in their care,” Ms McDougall said.

“For a regional hospital like Singleton, this can make a real difference, particularly when patients need urgent treatment, stabilisation or transfer for specialist care.”

Tracey Snedden, Glencore Community Relations Coordinator said supporting the hospital was about investing in a service local families rely on every day.

“When someone arrives at an Emergency Department, every minute matters. We’re proud to support equipment that helps clinicians assess patients quickly and make informed decisions at the bedside,” Ms Snedden said.

“For us, this is a practical investment that will make a difference to local people for many years to come.”

With the new ultrasound now in use, Singleton Hospital has another tool to deliver urgent care for patients and their families across Singleton and our surrounding communities.