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High Acuity Care

The highly experienced medical staff within these specialised units provide patients with advanced medical support, close monitoring and personalised care during critical phases of treatment. Our priorities are patient safety, comfort and care, facilitating the best possible outcomes.

High Dependency Unit Close Observation Unit Our Approach to Patient-Centred Care Advanced Technology and Expertise Why Choose Burnside Hospital? Visiting Guidelines

High Dependency Unit – Toorak Gardens

At Burnside Hospital’s Toorak Gardens site, the High Dependency Unit offers an advanced care setting for patients requiring heightened medical attention due to serious or complex medical conditions.

Equipped with cutting-edge technology and staffed by a multidisciplinary team of highly skilled healthcare professionals, the HDU is designed for patients recovering from complex surgeries or managing acute medical conditions.

The unit features continuous monitoring systems and rapid-response capabilities, allowing our dedicated team to provide immediate and precise interventions. From managing post-surgical care to supporting patients with life-threatening illnesses, the HDU delivers a superior standard of care in a secure and supportive environment.

Close Observation Unit – Stepney

At Burnside Hospital’s Stepney site, the Close Observation Unit (COU) provides tailored care for patients who require increased monitoring but may not need the full resources of a high dependency environment. This unit acts as a crucial bridge between standard inpatient care and more intensive settings, offering peace of mind to patients and their families during times of heightened medical need.

The COU is equipped with advanced monitoring technologies and staffed by experienced professionals working collaboratively to deliver comprehensive, compassionate, and attentive care.

Patients benefit from a seamless transition between levels of care, ensuring their medical and emotional needs are always prioritised.

Our Approach to Patient‑Centred Care

At Burnside Hospital, patient-centred care guides everything we do. We understand that high-acuity care can be a challenging experience for patients and loved ones.

 

Across both units, our teams partner with you to set goals, provide expert treatment and offer clear, compassionate support. We work closely with patients and families to create individualised care plans so each person feels informed and confident. With an emphasis on dignity, respect and compassion, we aim to make every experience as comfortable and reassuring as possible.

Advanced Technology and Expertise

Burnside Hospital’s high-acuity care services are supported by leading medical equipment and a culture of clinical excellence. 

Our multidisciplinary teams, including physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals are trained in the latest practices for managing acute medical conditions and complex recovery needs. This ensures that patients in both the HDU and COU receive the highest quality care tailored to their specific medical requirements.

Why Choose Burnside Hospital?

Burnside Hospital has built a reputation for excellence in high-acuity care, offering patients and their families peace of mind when it matters most. Whether you’re receiving care in the High Dependency Unit at Toorak Gardens or the Close Observation Unit at Stepney, you can trust in our commitment to delivering world-class healthcare in a supportive and compassionate environment.

For more information or to discuss your individual needs, please contact us on (08) 8202 7222. We are here to provide the care you need, ensuring your safety, comfort, and well-being at every stage of your healthcare journey.

Make an enquiry

Visiting Guidelines for our Toorak Gardens High Dependency Unit

Visits from loved ones are an important part of a patient’s recovery. To ensure the safety and comfort of all patients, please follow these guidelines when visiting the High Dependency Unit (HDU)at Toorak Gardens:

Visitor Limit and Duration
  • Visitor Limit and Duration: to maintain a calm and therapeutic environment, please restrict visitors to two people at a time. Visits should last no longer than 15–20 minutes to allow patients adequate time to rest and recover.
  • During Care and Treatments: nursing staff may occasionally ask visitors to wait outside while treatments or care interventions are being carried out. During these times visitors are welcome to wait in the lounge area of the von Rieben South Ward.
Coordination with Family Members
  • Planning Visits: family members are encouraged to discuss the best times for visiting with the HDU nurse. Scheduled interventions, medical investigations, and essential rest periods are carefully planned to optimise the patient’s care and recovery.
  • Post-Surgery Recovery: many patients arrive in the HDU directly from the operating theatre and may still be drowsy from anaesthesia or pain-relief medications. Visits may need to be limited to prioritise the patient’s comfort and recovery.
Telephone Enquiries
  • Primary Contact Person: to streamline communication and minimise interruptions, we recommend that one designated family member handles telephone enquiries. This individual can then relay updates to other family members, allowing HDU staff to focus on patient care.
  • Direct Contact with Staff: for privacy and accuracy, all telephone enquiries should be directed to HDU staff.
Mobile Phone Use
  • Within the HDU: out of respect for other patients, mobile phones must be on silent while in the HDU.
  • Designated Areas: visitors are welcome to use mobile phones in the lounge or foyer outside the unit.

We appreciate your cooperation in following these guidelines which help us provide the highest standard of care in a safe, restful, and supportive environment.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to speak with the nursing staff caring for you or your loved one.

Visiting Guidelines for our Stepney Close Observation Unit

We welcome the support of family and friends in a patient’s recovery journey. To ensure a safe, respectful, and therapeutic environment for all patients in the Close Observation Unit (COU), we ask that visitors adhere to the following guidelines:

Visitor Limit and Duration
  • Number of Visitors: to maintain a calm and manageable environment, we recommend limiting visitors to two people at a time.
  • Visit Duration: visits should be kept to 15–20 minutes to allow patients sufficient rest and recovery time.
  • Temporary Restrictions: nursing staff may request visitors to step out of the unit during medical procedures or patient care activities. Visitors can wait comfortably in the designated lounge area near the COU.
Coordinating Visits with the Care Team
  • Best Times to Visit: family members are encouraged to consult with COU staff to identify optimal visiting times. This ensures that visits do not disrupt medical procedures, therapies, or rest periods, which are crucial to a patient’s recovery.
  • Recovery Sensitivities: many patients in the COU are recovering from significant medical events or procedures. To prioritise their comfort and care, visitors may need to adjust their schedules based on the patient’s condition.
Telephone Enquiries
  • Centralised Contact: we recommend designating one family member to handle all telephone enquiries and share updates with other loved ones. This reduces the volume of calls and allows our staff to focus on patient care.
  • Staff Communication: for accurate information, all enquiries should be directed to COU staff.
Mobile Phone and Device Use
  • Inside the COU: out of respect for other patients, mobile phones must be on silent while in the COU.
  • Designated Areas: visitors may use their mobile phones in designated areas, such as the lounge or foyer outside the COU.
Patient Comfort and Support
  • Minimising Stress: the COU environment is carefully managed to reduce stress for patients. Visitors are asked to maintain a quiet and considerate demeanour during their visit.
  • Rest and Recovery: please respect scheduled rest periods which are essential for patient recovery.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping us maintain a safe, comfortable, and effective care environment. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to ask the COU staff for assistance.

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With an uncompromising commitment to patient care and our dedication to nurturing a dynamic, team orientated, collegial environment, Burnside Hospital is truly a great place to work.

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Burnside Hospital acknowledges the Kaurna people as the Traditional Owners of the land and waters on which we live and care for our community.
We recognise their Native Title Rights to Country, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

Visit burnsidehospital.asn.au for more information