The nurses union will be back in Tenterfield today to continue talks on staffing at the local hospital, and to debrief on the death of a patient there at the weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Hunter New England Health said it would also "continue to provide support" to the family and staff.
"We offer our sincere condolences to the family following the death of [the] critically ill patient," a spokesperson said.
The incident occurred while there were two nurses and no doctor at the facility.
READ MORE: Council backs health district move
The NSW Nurses and Midwives Association will also keep lobbying for "a minimum level of staffing ... to properly respond to these sorts of emergencies": at least three nurses per shift, general secretary Brett Holmes said.
"The district says, 'Well, it comes down to not enough money from the government' ... What does it take to prove that you really should be properly staffing these small facilities? Because the unexpected does happen [and] there are consequences."
However, the HNEH spokesperson said "it would be premature to pre-empt the findings of the root cause analysis (RCA) and any future coronial investigation".
Carolyn Millet
Based at The Northern Daily Leader, Tamworth, and Namoi Valley Independent, Gunnedah. Covering general news and features on community, council, arts, business, health, education, entertainment and rural matters.
Based at The Northern Daily Leader, Tamworth, and Namoi Valley Independent, Gunnedah. Covering general news and features on community, council, arts, business, health, education, entertainment and rural matters.
