Emergency ward resumes

Mersey hospital back to 24- hour service soon

THE emergency department at the Mersey Community Hospital will resume 24- hour service at the end of November after eight months operating under reduced hours.

Health Minister Sarah Courtney said around- theclock operations would restart on November 30.

The hospital was forced to reduce the operating hours of its emergency department from April when interstate locums were unable to visit due to pandemic- related restrictions.

“The decision to reduce hours at the Mersey ED was one of the hardest decisions we’ve had to make during a year of extremely tough decisions,” she said.

“The recommencement of 24/ 7 emergency services at the Mersey has been underpinned by the recruitment of three permanent senior staff specialists and five long- term locums.

“Concerted recruitment efforts are ongoing for permanent roles but we know that rural and regional health services recruitment is an ongoing challenge around the country.”

Labor MP Shane Broad welcomed the decision and said it would be a big relief for the people of the North- West.

“In the meantime it’s a timely reminder of the need for the state government to work harder to recruit and retain staff to meet the required levels on a permanent basis,” he said. “For too long the health and medical needs of the North- West Coast have been treated in a piecemeal manner with a heavy reliance on locums.

“The pandemic has exposed the weaknesses in the system but they were there long before COVID- 19 hit.”

Australian Medical Association Tasmania vice- president Scott Fletcher said the resumption of safe and sustainable care was what the community deserved.

“We are pleased that this return to regular hours has been achieved with the government’s increased permanent staffing support to the ED,” Dr Fletcher said.

“The reduced hours provided the doctors in the NorthWest, who were at breaking point, with a much- needed reset from the pressure of trying to keep both emergency departments safely serviced.

“Without the change in hours, there was a genuine threat that both Mersey and Burnie hospitals risked losing doctors from burnout and ED services being unsafe.”