10
Oct 2024
Hospital 'Chaos' as Junior Doctors Lack Adequate Supervision
Published in News on October 10, 2024
Local media reported that junior doctors have been relocated from the orthopaedics ward at Canberra Hospital due to concerns about inadequate supervision. The opposition holds Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith responsible for the ensuing “chaos.”
The Canberra Regional Medical Education Council has mandated that junior doctors, particularly those in their first and second years, require increased supervision during their orthopaedic training. As a result, these doctors have been withdrawn from the ward.
Liberal health spokesperson Leanne Castley criticized the minister, describing this situation as another instance of her "systematically ruining the health system," noting that several departments have lost their training accreditation during her tenure.
“Ms Stephen-Smith must clarify to Canberrans when she became aware of the loss of the latest training accreditation for junior doctors and whether she intended to delay the announcement until after the election when the training term officially ends,” Ms Castley stated.
The loss of training accreditation follows the ACT government's $31.5 million settlement with junior doctors over unpaid overtime.
“While Ms Stephen-Smith has spent much of this week engaging in political games and casting blame, her health system is in disarray. It’s evident that after navigating multiple crises this term, she is unfit to serve as health minister,” Ms Castley added.
This week, the Canberra Liberals announced new health policies, which include additional support for frontline workers, an emphasis on primary care to alleviate pressure on emergency departments, and a proposed royal commission to examine the ACT health system and identify necessary improvements thoroughly.
For those needing accommodation during their time at Canberra Hospital, various options are available nearby. Furnished apartments near Canberra Hospital provide a comfortable and convenient choice for patients and families seeking a place to stay close to the hospital. These accommodations typically offer essential amenities and are ideally located, making it easier for visitors to access medical services while ensuring a home-like environment during challenging times.
![A Medicare bulk-billed urgent care clinic, established by the federal government to help reduce emergency department pressures, has unexpectedly closed in Bundaberg, Queensland, less than a year after opening. Located 400 kilometres north of Brisbane, this clinic was one of 75 launched across Australia since June 2023 to redirect non-life-threatening cases away from hospitals, allow emergency departments to focus on the most critical cases.
Since its opening in November last year, the Bundaberg Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) has provided care to hundreds of patients. However, it unexpectedly closed its doors on October 22, with plans to reopen a week later. A sign now indicates that it is "closed until further notice." This makes the Bundaberg UCC the only one of its kind in Australia to shut down.
Patient Sue Hackett expressed her surprise upon arriving at the clinic on Tuesday when she found it closed. “I looked on the website, and it actually showed it was open... I've come here assuming they're open,” Ms. Hackett said.
Julie Sturgess, chief executive of the region's public health network Country to Coast, told the ABC that she could not provide specific details regarding the reasons behind the abrupt closure of the Bundaberg Urgent Care Clinic. “There are ongoing negotiations with the provider of that service,” Ms. Sturgess stated.
In response to the closure, a free phone service called Connect2Care has been established, allowing callers to speak with a registered nurse for their urgent care needs. “If further care is required, such as seeing a GP, we can organize an appointment either with your regular GP or a phone or video consultation with an online GP through that service,” Ms. Sturgess explained.
Additionally, some GP practices in Bundaberg are extending their hours to accommodate extra appointments. The Bundaberg UCC was operated by the Indigenous Wellbeing Centre (IWC), a non-profit Aboriginal-controlled health organization that serves the entire community. The IWC has declined to comment on the closure.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler informed the ABC that services at the Bundaberg Urgent Care Clinic are expected to resume shortly.
The Australian Medical Association Queensland (AMAQ) has expressed ongoing concerns regarding the viability of the federal government's urgent care clinic program. AMAQ President Nick Yim emphasized that these clinics often duplicate services already provided by GP clinics. “We believe the federal funding for these clinics would be better invested in existing general practices around the state,” Dr. Yim stated.
Sue Hackett shared that she was able to secure a same-day appointment at a GP clinic, but it would come at a cost. “I just want to go to a place where I can get sorted with my medical condition, plus I don’t have to pay,” she expressed, highlighting the challenges many face in accessing affordable healthcare.
Tim Spargo, the owner of the pharmacy located next to the Urgent Care Clinic, emphasized the critical role the clinic has played in the community. He noted that when travellers forgot their chronic condition medications or prescriptions, he could direct them to the UCC for assistance. “In the 11 months that it's been open, it has really served a vital purpose … it has taken that pressure off [emergency departments],” Mr. Spargo stated, expressing the urgent need for such services in the area.
"What's clear is that federal Labor is unable to deliver on their commitments, and the people of Bundaberg and the surrounding district, who desperately need additional services, have been let down," he said. "No matter who you talk to, whether it's the GPs themselves or others, they are just overrun with work, and what should be a godsend is now closed."
In response, Mr Butler reiterated that patients can still receive assistance through the phone line, which will "help ensure the Bundaberg community's urgent care needs continue to be met."
Meanwhile, newly elected Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has pledged an additional half a billion dollars to reduce ramping across the state to below 30 per cent over the next four years. Queensland Health data from April to June this year indicates that 44.7 per cent of patients were not transferred off ambulance stretchers within 30 minutes. This issue is particularly pressing for Bundaberg Hospital, which has been struggling with high demand and limited resources. Crisafulli also promised to recruit 34,200 additional health workers by 2032.](https://c3eeedc15c0611d84c18-6d9497f165d09befa49b878e755ba3c4.ssl.cf4.rackcdn.com/photos/blogs/article-832-1730723697.jpg "Bundaberg Urgent Care Clinic Closes Abruptly, Leaving Patients in Uncertainty")
