Internal Medicine
General Medicine
The departments and services listed below are all part of the Department of General Medicine
- Alcohol & Drug Service
- Cardiology – Coronary Care Unit
- Clinical Toxicology
- Consultation Liaison Psychiatry
- ECG Department
- Emergency Department
- Hunter Drug Information Service
- Internal/General Medicine
- Mater Acute Community Care
- Mater Stroke & Enablement Unit
Our department has approximately 5,400 admissions annually and there are approximately 25,000 patients admitted to the Emergency Department each year. We continue to work toward improving patient care and continue our own professional development and expertise giving us a reputation for excellence and innovation in our health care delivery.
General Internal Medicine
This is the largest single unit within the Department of Medicine and its senior medical staff are all General Physicians.
A General Physician is a specialist whose training and expertise enables them to practice broadly across internal medicine specific to adult patients.
At Calvary Mater Newcastle, all General Physicians also have expertise in a sub specialty area.
The Department employs a discharge facilitator who assists with the assessment of patients for return to home or placement into aged care facilities or hostel care. Referral to this department is via the inpatient medical teams.
Our visiting hours are:
General wards - 11am - 1pm and 3pm - 8pm
Rest period is between 1pm and 3pm.
Telephone - 4014 3496/7
The Coronary Care Unit has different times for visiting these are:
10am to 12noon and 3pm to 8pm
Outpatient services are available at regular clinics within the Medical Centre, which is located in the new Clinical Services building in Platt Street, Waratah. Patients can be referred from other teams at the Mater; GP’s and Visiting Medical Officers.
Cardiology - The Coronary Care Unit
The ECG Department is managed by a team of Cardiologists, Medical Officers and Registered Nurses
The Coronary Care Unit provides care for patients who have experienced a heart attack or problems with their heart and provide specialty care by monitoring and treatment of symptoms and underlying conditions associated with heart disease. The unit also provides patients with education about their specific condition and referral to local cardiac rehabilitation services. We are also involved in ongoing research trials and community projects.
Patients are admitted to the Coronary Care Unit via the Mater Emergency Department. Referrals are also received from other hospital in the area.
Telephone - 4014 3471
ECG Department
The ECG Department is managed by the Director of Cardiology and a team of technicians and can provide the following tests for patients:
- Electro Cardiograph Testing (ECG’s)
- Exercise Stress Testing (EST)
The department also provides an outpatient clinic for patients who have had a pacemaker inserted at the Mater.
The ECG department hours are:
Monday to Friday 8.30am – 1.45pm
Appointments and bookings can be made by calling 4921 1673
Hunter Drug Information Service
WHO are we?
The Hunter Drug Information Service was established in 1979 and is managed by a team of experienced pharmacists who are on call five days per week from 8.30am to 5pm.
WHAT do we do?
Provide drug information for patient related enquiries within the Hunter New England Area Health Service, including advice regarding adverse drug reactions, drug interactions, drugs in pregnancy/lactation, formulation, availability, product information, herbal medicines.
HOW do we do it?
We assess calls as soon as possible, some enquiries can be answered immediately, others take longer. We use various databases including Medline, Embase, IDIS, Drugdex, Poisindex; current texts; biomedical journals etc...
Contact us
Telephone (02) 4921 1278
Fax: 4921 1372
E-mail: h.dis@mater.health.nsw.gov.au
Alcohol & Drug Unit
The Alcohol and Drug Service provides assistance and support for individuals regarding alcohol and other drug use. The service also offers support to family and friends affected by another person’s drug use. We offer safe and supportive treatment options from inpatient and outpatient facilities. We also provide follow up outpatient support and counselling for individuals and family members 7 days per week and after hours.
Assessment:
- Confidential initial assessment is offered to all clients attending our service
- Treatment options are offered based on assessment, with links to appropriate service providers
Information, support and counselling for individuals, family members and other health professionals.
Medical review and prescription of medication for withdrawal and relapse prevention where appropriate.
Psychological intervention regarding relaxation, anxiety, phobias, depression, sleep problems and other problem behaviours. Cannabis and nicotine smoking cessation programs.
Support services for people awaiting to attend rehabilitation.
Referral to after care services, counselling and community groups.
We also provide referral and educational support to:
- GP's
- Health services and community agencies
- Rehabilitation services
Education
- Lectures and seminars for health professionals and other interested groups
- Inservice education for hospital staff
Staff Members:
- Medical Director
- Drug and Alcohol Staff Specialist
- Nursing Unit Manager
- Drug & Alcohol Family Counsellor
- Snr. Clinical Psychologist
- Registered Nurse / Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Secretary / Receptionist
Clinical Toxiology & Pharmacology
The Department of Clinical Toxicology & Pharmacology is responsible for the inpatient management of patients who come to the hospital with poisoning (including self-poisoning, recreational, iatrogenic, accidental or occupational poisoning) or envenomation (venomous bites) throughout the Hunter New England Health Area. Also the NSW Health Department has a mandate to promote the rational use of drug therapy throughout the Area. Thus the Hunter Drug Information Service and an outpatient service for consultations in Clinical Pharmacology or Toxicology are also available through the Department.
We provide an inpatient management service for toxicology patients, the Hunter Area Toxicology Service, and provide a consultative service for therapeutic related problems. We also act as an educational resource for the Hunter and New England Area Health Service
Staff Members
Director
Staff Specialist
University staff
Senior Registrar/Fellow
Pharmacists (Hunter Drug Information Service)
How to get a referral
It is the Department's policy to formally admit and ensure adequate psychiatric and drug and alcohol counselling for all patients with deliberate self poisoning or self-harm. Patients can present directly to the Calvary Mater Newcastle (acute toxicology), or be transferred from other area hospitals or referred by clinicians within the Hunter New England Area Health Service or from a General Practitioner.
Contact can be made by calling the Department Secretary - 4921 1283.