Mobile doctor helps ease hospital queues

A NEW mobile health clinic is trying to reduce the strain on the Royal Hobart Hospital’s Emergency Department by providing direct care to vulnerable patients in southern Tasmania.

In November, Rosny Park Family Practice GP Columbine Mullins teamed up with Moreton Group Medical Services to provide health clinics for people around Hobart, Kingston and New Norfolk.

Dr Mullins, the program’s clinical director, said mobile GPs and medical assistants commonly tended to issues including dental pain, skin infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, mentalhealth matters and drug or alcohol problems.

She said, so far, about 600 visits had been made, with 40 per cent of patients admitting they were considering a trip to hospital. Of those, 60 per cent were close to calling an ambulance.

Dr Mullins said only five of the 600 cases actually required hospital care, with the program saving the public health system about $200,000 in unnecessary hospitalisations and ambulance calls.

Currently, the state records 35 potentially preventable hospitalisations daily, with more than 46,000 presentations to the RHH Emergency Department in 2016-17 up until March 31.

Dr Mullins said the doctors provided referrals to specialists, social workers and mentalhealth workers but there was a desire to expand the program’s direct workforce in these areas.

“It is hoped that our service will help to improve access to health care and also reduce the burden on the Royal Hobart Hospital Emergency Depart- ment and Ambulance she said.

Dr Mullins said many patients had issues accessing health care due to displacement from their homes or battles with mental illness and financial stress.

“Infrastructure issues can make it hard for people to access service, especially lack of public transport.

Program managing director Robert Moreton, of Moreton Group Medical Services, said negotiations were under way with Primary Health Tasmania for more funding to improve staffing. PHT has initially provided $117,000 for the first year.

“The funding currently covers the service but not the doctors,” he said. “It’s expensive to recruit doctors.”

He said the program was available to people affiliated with community service providers such as Colony 47, St Vincent de Paul, Salvation Army, Catholic Care, Loui’s Van and Hobart Women’s Shelter. Tasmania,” about whether he said.

Mr Jacobson said the union had raised the issues with management.

He said response the was “not adequate” and further talks were needed to resolve staff concerns.

Comment was sought from the Hobart Private Hospital. it was approved,”