THE Bunbury Region has had onsite geriatric medical services for the past four years because of a dedicated and forward thinking doctor.
Dr Ramesh Parthasarthy, with the support of his executive team, started a 10-bed geriatric unit at the Bunbury Hospital for rehabilitative care patients who needed a multi-disciplinary approach.
His hardwork was recogisned at the Bethanie Aged Care Awards last week where he won the Bethanie All Rounder Medallion and the Bethanie Professional Medallion.
Bethanie chief executive Chris How said Dr Parthasarthy’s work was tailored to the seniors of Western Australia in ensuring true health benefits for the frail and aged throughout regional locations.
The awards are nominated by patients, not other doctors and Dr Parthasarthy said it was recognition for all his hard work to be nominated.
“I was quite touched and honoured,” Dr Parthasarthy said.
“I have always wanted to develop the age care services because we have an ever aging population and I enjoy working with older people.
“It’s my mission to develop the services in the South West for elderly people in general.”
He was proud of his hard working team who supports him and his loyal patients who he constantly learns from.
Dr Parthasarthy said he didn’t see them as patients but as other human beings and it wasn’t just about clinical medicine, instead a more holistic approach.
“It is about treating a person as a person, that is my motto in life,” Dr Parthasarthy said.
“I feel that we have to try and do something to give them good quality of life and that’s where your compassion comes in.”
Dr Parthasarthy said they were always improving the patient’s health services from Bunbury to Esperance.
He said it was a focus to provide specialist care close to home but they were still a long way from what they could achieve.
Dr Parthasarthy’s passion for age care began more than 15 years ago when he took a six month placement in England, within the week realising how much he enjoyed the complexity of the patients.
“I took it on as a challenge and I haven’t looked back since,” Dr Parthasarthy said.
