In July 2020 the hospital purchased a state-of-the-art 3D/4D transoesophageal echocardiography probe and a 4D ultrasound machine enabling doctors to see the inner mechanisms of the heart and blood flow in real time.

Later in the year the hospital became the first in WA to introduce and use Magseed technology to improve breast cancer treatment and then the first regional hospital in WA to use transperineal biopsy for the identification and diagnosis of prostate cancer.

All three technologies were funded or partially funded through the philanthropic support and generosity of St John of God Foundation donors.

The investment in technological improvement has continued more recently with the addition of a surgical robot to support orthopaedic surgeons and provide increased surgical accuracy and better patient recovery.

St John of God Bunbury Hospital Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Williams said that the hospital was seeing an influx in the introduction of new technologies thanks to engaged doctors and funding from both St John of God Foundation donors and St John of God Health Care.

“These developments allow our team of specialist doctors, nurses and a multidisciplinary team to continue to provide a high quality service to locals in the South West of Western Australia,” he said.

“It is important that we stay abreast of new technologies, and we are fortunate that our doctors and clinical teams are challenging the status quo within their specialist fields.

“Our focus is always on what is best for our patients so they can rest assured that they are receiving the best treatment for their condition without having to travel to the city.”

The 145-bed St John of God Bunbury Hospital is co-located with the Bunbury Regional Hospital and cares for private patients across the South West of Western Australia.

More information about the new technologies:

3D/4D transoesophageal echocardiography probe and a 4D ultrasound machine

Allows surgeons to visualise the shape of heart valves before surgery, so that they can plan to repair or replace ahead of time. It also helps to prepare patients and their families for the surgery by being able to provide more detail about their condition, surgical treatment and recovery.

Magseed

A tiny 5mm magnetic device that is used to help surgeons locate impalpable breast cancers by inserting it into the tissue prior to surgery and marking where the cancerous tumour lies. Previously, a wire was used to mark the tumour leaving it protruding from the skin so the Magseed makes for a better patient experience as well as increased surgical accuracy. 

Transperineal biopsy

New biopsy technique that can access areas of the prostate that a standard prostate biopsy finds harder to reach. Patients can receive a more accurate diagnosis and the technique reduces the risk of biopsy related infection, which can assist with recovery rates.

Orthopaedic surgical assist robot 

The robotic systems are used to both plan and perform knee replacement surgery which can enhance accuracy and efficiency. A more accurate procedure can improve the patient experience and outcome by decreasing the recovery rate leading to decreased length of hospital stay and a quicker return to normal activities of daily living. While they do not operate independently they are an important tool to assist surgeons.