ADF Health April 2003 - Volume 4 Number 1

Health Service profile

Fleet Base West Health Centre HMAS STIRLING, Rockingham WA

With 20 beds and a comprehensive range of outpatient, specialist and ancillary services (including physiotherapy, pharmacy and radiology), the Fleet Base West Health Centre (FBWHC) is the largest ADF health facility in Western Australia. It provides health support for all WA-based and visiting Royal Australian Navy Fleet units. At present this includes three guided missile frigates, three ANZAC frigates, an oiler and six submarines. On occasion FBWHC also provides health services for overseas visitors, most recently ships and submarines from the US, French and New Zealand navies.

The FBW Medical Department also provides:

Medical services to all personnel at HMAS STIRLING.
Medical support for the Submarine and Underwater Medicine Unit-West (SUMU-W). Besides supporting submarine escape training, SUMU-W provides primary health care for all sea- and shore-based submariners and Clearance Diving Team Four.
Environmental and occupational health services to Fleet units and HMAS STIRLING.
First Aid training for leadership and management courses, personnel posted to minor war vessels, and Ship's Medical Emergency Teams.

The FBW Dental Department comprises seven dental clinics, an oral surgery room, central sterile supply department and dental laboratory, and a mobile dental surgery for use at the wharf for ships alongside. It is also the home of the WA-based Fleet Mobile Dental Team when not at sea.

Collocated with but separate from FBWHC is the FBW Psychology Department, with a staff of five, responsible for providing psychology services for RAN ships and FBW personnel. FBWHC personnel also work closely with chaplaincy, social work and command staff to ensure a holistic approach to patient care.

FBWHC management staff comprise the Senior Medical Officer, Senior Dental Officer, Health Services Staff Officer, Nursing Officer and Chief Petty Officer-Medical and Chief Petty Officer-Dental regulators, who are responsible for a skilled team of 40 uniformed, public service and contract civilian personnel. The geographical isolation of FBW from the eastern States means all uniformed health personnel are either preparing for or on respite from operational seagoing service, giving them a strong focus on optimising the support for seagoing personnel.

FBWHC's vision is to be the best defence health centre in Australia. Its personnel are proud to provide direct health support for the Fleet, through constant care in accordance with STIRLING's motto "Go Forward".