Member Spotlight: Wesley Hyperbaric

Learn how hyperbaric oxygen therapy is changing lives for patients suffering from injury.

We sat down with Madelaine Goakes, Clinical Leader at Wesley Hyperbaric in Queensland to share the story of this impressive facility, their focus on quality and safety and the life changing impact Hyperbaric Medicine has on patients.  
 
1. Tell us about Wesley Hyperbaric  

Wesley Hyperbaric was started in 1998 and is the first and largest fully accredited day hospital providing a comprehensive hyperbaric facility in Australia.  Hyperbaric-trained doctors and nursing staff attend all sessions and we can treat up to 8 patients at a time in the hyperbaric chamber. We treat many conditions such as injuries, infections and wounds, and in so many cases the treatment changes lives.  

Image: Patients getting ready for treatment, Patients in the chamber, Operators at work.  

2. What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy?  

Hyperbaric medicine is not so well known, but it is certainly gaining recognition due to the results we are seeing. The Wesley Hyperbaric treats patients who have an injury, which could range from a radiation injury or diabetic wound for example. The hyperbaric oxygen chamber gives a huge dose of oxygen to support recovery. Depending on the condition or response, patients may need as little as 10 or as many as 60 treatments.  

Here is a Nine News Report of the facility and medicine:

3. How do patients get started with this type of treatment?  

Patients can be referred by their GP or their specialist which is then reviewed by the Wesley Hyperbaric doctors to see if the patient comes under the indications that are treated. The Wesley Hyperbaric doctors and nurses usually have a speciality such as ICU, emergency or anaesthetics and they all have diplomas and training in hyperbaric medicine to work in the industry. Many patients don’t know what to expect from the treatment so we spend a lot of time preparing them and often pair them with a buddy for support.  

4. Was there anything you learnt from your last assessment?  

Our last assessment was in 2023 and we could have a Short Notice Assessment at any time, so we have been preparing for this substantially. Our Customer Service Manager (CSM) from ACHS, Jenny O’Hearn, has been an amazing support in this process and to encourage updating of our policies and procedures. There is a huge focus on quality initiatives and since our last assessment there has been enormous change to support quality improvement and patient safety such as updating patient admission forms, consent forms, and how we clean our consumable stock. The resources provided by ACHS have been terrific and such a great support.  

5. Do you have any advice for other ACHS Members on the accreditation journey?  

I would absolutely recommend the ACHS Improvement Academy training courses, I did the Understanding Short Notice Assessment Course which has been great to broaden my learning. It has also been great to have our CSM on the end of the phone, so utilising this relationship and support has been essential for us.  

Thanks to Madeline Goakes for your time to tell us about the Wesley Hyperbaric as well as Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. It has been great to share your learnings about assessment and your focus on patient safety and quality.