The Tenterfield Star posed a number of questions to Hunter New England Health (HNEH) arising from hospital issues raised at Wednesday’s Tenterfield Shire Council meeting including doctor availability, staff turnover and the hospital’s remoteness from the district’s Newcastle base.
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HNEH advises that Tenterfield Hospital emergency department and inpatient care was covered during the October long weekend by a locum doctor from 3pm on Friday, September 30 until 7am on Tuesday, October 4. The health service said support was also provided to Tenterfield Hospital by Glen Innes Hospital via telehealth facilities during the October long weekend.
“General Practitioner coverage for the Tenterfield Hospital is arranged through an agreement with a third party agency, Rural and Remote Medical Services Ltd (RaRMS),” HNEH Tablelands Sector Operation Manager Cathryn Jones said.
“The agreement with RaRMs ensures that all doctors employed to provide services at Tenterfield Hospital have the appropriate qualifications and experience to work at the hospital.
“Last week Dr Nilukshi Siribaddana starting covering the emergency and inpatient unit through her employment with RaRMS. At any time when additional coverage may be required in the emergency department or inpatient unit, locum medical support is sought through medical agencies.”
Concerning staff turnover at the hospital, Ms Jones stated that Michael Moore has resigned from Hunter New England Health and Alison Barber is currently acting as the Health Service Manager at Tenterfield Hospital. Recruitment is underway to permanently fill this position.
Tenterfield’s remoteness from the district’s base in Newcastle is managed by a support network and internet-based facilities.
“Tenterfield Hospital is supported by the entire Hunter New England Local Health District, with the primary support hospital being Armidale Hospital,” Ms Jones said.
“Tenterfield Hospital is also connected to the Hunter New England Local Health District telehealth network that can deliver clinical health care through a secure, virtual and mobile health environment. Telehealth saves our patients significant travel and personal costs and time.”
Ms Jones said telehealth also allows Tenterfield Hospital emergency department staff to receive virtual support and clinical guidance from other rural referral and tertiary hospitals within the district, such as John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle.
“John Hunter Hospital is the tertiary referral hospital servicing the entire northern NSW area. It is the only hospital outside of Sydney that is a major trauma centre and can provide neonatal intensive care services and neurology services.”
