Emergency Medicine Network 5

Nepean Hospital?

Nepean Hospital is located at the base of the Blue Mountains in Penrith, roughly 50km west of the Sydney CBD in an area with a rapidly expanding population. We are a 420 bed tertiary referral centre, receiving patients from Nepean, Hawkesbury, Lithgow and the Blue Mountains areas. The Hospital is designated as a regional trauma centre with all major surgical specialties on site and is affiliated with the University of Sydney. The hospital is currently undergoing a massive redevelopment with construction of Stage 1, a 14-story tower, to be completed in 2021.

Our emergency department sees 75,000 patients annually with a 40% admission rate and 20% paediatric presentation.

Available Rotations

Nepean Hospital is accredited for 2 years of ACEM training as a tertiary centre and certified for the paediatric logbook. We form part of NSW emergency training Network 5 that includes Westmead, Blacktown and Auburn Hospitals locally, with links to more distant Orange and Tweed Hospitals.

Our ED offers various additional terms including anaesthetics, ICU, paediatrics, O&G and medical education. There are 5 excellent terms available in ultrasound. 4x6 month terms for trainees and a 12month term for an Ultrasound Fellow. The ultrasound team is led by Dr Vijay Manivel (DDU) who has helped our trainees achieve CCPU qualifications and publish articles. In addition to ultrasound in the ED trainees get to practice their U/S skills in the internationally recognised ICU echo lab, the acute gynae service and the medically imaging department alongside highly skilled ultrasonographers. We have strong links to our network hospitals with opportunities to be seconded locally or experience some rural medicine in Orange or even Alice Springs.

Reasons to Work Here

Nepean ED is a busy tertiary ED with a high number of varied patient presentations and pathology seen, which makes for every day being interesting. We have a great sense of camaraderie between our medical and nursing groups and function as a very effective team to deliver the best care we can to the local population. The nature of this busy department will help in developing your skills in managing critically ill patients with a high level of consultant support available. ED consultants are physically in the department from 0700 to midnight 365 days of the year. Our unique consultant roster means there are 3 consultants rostered every day and evening shift 7 days per week.

We are a group of 30 passionate consultants with a mixture of many new FACEMS and those with 30+ years’ experience. Special interests within our group include toxicology, paediatrics, retrieval medicine, trauma, ultrasound, education and simulation. There is a great emphasis on education within the department whether it is on the floor, in the resus room or in our fortnightly teaching days that give our registrars 8 hours of protected teaching time. As part of our education programme there are regular simulation sessions as well as dedicated teaching available for those sitting the primary and fellowship exams. Our weekly fellowship teaching is run in collaboration with other network 5 hospitals allowing exposure to a wealth of consultant knowledge including college examiners. We run an annual 1 day conference, Nepean Emergency Medicine Updates (NEMU), lead by our consultants. This is a great learning and social opportunity for our staff, held in the scenic blue mountains.

We have the privilege of a highly skilled admin assistant dedicated to managing the clinical roster. This means we can be flexible when it comes to roster requests, specific family and social situations and days off to attend exam preparation programs.

Nepean hospital is located near the scenic Blue Mountains, known for its dramatic scenery. It encompasses steep cliffs with eucalyptus forests, waterfalls and scenic villages with guesthouses, galleries and gardens. There are an array of picturesque hiking and cycling trails combined with some world class rock climbing available so you will be able to make the most of your free time. The iconic city of Sydney is easily accessible through great road and rail links so whether you prefer the bright lights or the mountain serenity, it’s all possible when working at Nepean.

Please contact:

Dr Alan Ritchie
02 4734 2763