News

John Flynn Private in World First

Sep 10, 2012

On Monday, 10th September, 2012 John Flynn Private Hospital on the Gold Coast, officially launched their new EndoAlpha Operating Theatre. This state-of-the-art theatre is the first fully integrated glass modular operating theatre in Australia and the first theatre in the world that incorporated the latest theatre technology developed by Olympus.

Launched by Mr Michael Siddle, (Deputy Chairman, Ramsay Health Care), this multimillion dollar theatre was built in collaboration with Olympus Australia and Draeger Medical Australia and features the latest endoscopy, digital image management and glass-panel technology that is expected to transform operating theatres. Equipped with video technology the new theatre will enable surgeons to perform operations whilst transmitting live high definition procedural video to surgeons and students throughout the world, for teaching and training purposes.

Dr Ray Randle, prominent Gold Coast Orthopaedic Surgeon, was involved in the development of the EndoAlpha theatre and was the first surgeon to operate in it after the theatre was installed in August.

"The most important feature of this theatre is that we can use it for teaching in a way that we have never previously been able. The operation will be transmitted live, through encrypted channels, directly to surgeons, registrars in training, nurses and students who can watch operations and learn in a way not previously possible", Dr Randle said.

"Without the need to travel, surgeons and students can watch repeated operations of the same theme and ask questions live. This reinforcement in teaching will be quite superior to the current one-off observation, he said".

John Flynn Private Hospital, owned and operated by Ramsay Health Care is one of the major private hospitals providing acute medical and surgical services to the Gold Coast, Tweed Coast and Northern Rivers. Under the ownership of Ramsay Health Care the hospital has grown and developed with many innovations and improvements over recent years.

"With the development of this new theatre, John Flynn will enter a new phase placing the hospital at the forefront as a private surgical teaching facility on the Gold Coast", said Mr Greg Jenke, John Flynn CEO.

Dr Randle has already been approached by surgeons in New Zealand, Germany and India wanting to view partial knee and hip replacement surgery and revisions.