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Category Archives: Health


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 Millicent Hospital on-call roster covered by locums:-

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Millicent Hospital

by S Lowe for 5THE FM newsonline wattlerangenow
5THE FM has received the following statement from Country Health SA regarding staffing of the on call roster at the Millicent Hospital
Country Health SA, Acting Chief Executive Rebecca Graham said:-
“We have secured locum GP on-call cover to the Millicent Hospital over the next couple of weeks while we continue to work with Medical Millicent Clinic in developing a new service model.
“We will continue to keep the community updated.”
The Medical Clinic Millicent recently released a statement regarding their commitment to the Millicent Hospital on call services roster which said:-
“…with the recent departure of two doctors providing hospital cover and health problems catching up on remaining doctors servicing the hospital, it has become unsustainable to continue to provide on call services to the hospital in the current format.”
“Two local GP’s have offered to continue to provide services to the hospital under their current arrangement, but are unable to cover for the doctors lost from the on call roster.
This offer could provide for a continued engagement between Millicent Medical Clinic and Millicent Hospital – something that CHSA has desired in the past.  It could also provide relief for any other permanent doctor that CHSA might appoint to Millicent hospital – since no doctor will be able to service the hospital 24/7
The Medical Clinic is in ongoing discussions with CHSA in regards to providing other services to Millicent Hospital
 


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Familiar face joins Millicent midwifery clinic

James and MandyMandy Westcombe and Dr James Bushell Medical Clinic Millicent

Midwife Mandy Westc0mbe is the new face at the Medical Clinic Millicent Midwifery Clinic. Mandy is a local girl who has spent 4 years as RN at the Millicent Hospital and has trained at both the Millicent and Mt Gambier Hospitals.

 Clinic partner Dr James Bushell said having worked with Mandy he was impressed with her abilities and as she recently completed her studies, her up to date knowledge and experience made her the obvious choice to step into the role previously held by Anna Wilson who is  on maternity leave.

 Mandy’s work at the Millicent Clinic and the Mt Gambier hospital will give many pregnant women the double experience of a familiar face at both places and provide a continuity of care.
“A familiar face is comforting to women when they arrive to give birth,” said Mandy.

Dr Bushell also works at the Millicent Clinic and Mt Gambier Hospital providing the same continuity of care.

Women will see the Midwife when attending the clinic but Dr Bushell is also available on clinic days to provide further assistance when required.

 There are plans to increase post natal and breast feeding care at the Midwifery Clinic to increase support for mothers. This service helps relieve some of the uncertainties in pregnancy and reduce anxiety before and after the birth. The fortnightly clinic is held on Thursdays and is attracting many bookings but could be moved to weekly if the need is there to support women.

 Some women birthing in Mt Gambier want to return to Millicent Hospital but this depends if midwives are available at the Millicent Hospital at the time.

 Midwifery is an aging population and historically once birthing is stopped at a centre, those once skilled as midwives end up as general nursing staff because they have no opportunity to maintain midwifery skills. Obstetrics services were removed from the Millicent Hospital by Country Health SA mid 2013 which saw some midwives transfer to Mt Gambier and some chose other career paths.

The Midwifery clinic is held on Thursdays and appointments can be made by calling the Medical Clinic on 8733 2200.


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Orthopaedic surgeons sign CHSA contract

After lengthy contract negotiations and a period of uncertainty,  orthopaedic surgeons Mr McCusker and Mr Forbes have reached an agreement with CHSA and will continue to provide services att he Mt Gambier Hospital. This follows a period of uncertainty which saw orthopaedic surgeons Barry McCusker and Henry Forbes almost reach the end of their contract with CHSA with no guarantee of further contracts to continue to practice. In July of this year they both were signed for a 6 month contract.

Country Health SA put out a call on the open market for orthapaedic emergency and surgical and ophthalmology services at the Mt Gambier Hospital. South East Regional Director Jayne Downs said specialists could put forward proposals as required by SA Government procurement guidelines, a call for interest and proposals for the provision of orthopaedic services at Mount Gambier Hospital was released on the open market.

CHSA released this statement today:-

Country Health SA has secured orthopaedic services in the South East until 2020 after reaching agreement with surgeons Mr McCusker and Mr Forbes.

Acting Chief Executive Officer of Country Health SA, Rebecca Graham, said this was an excellent result for the South East community.

“Guaranteeing the provision of high quality orthopaedic surgical services to the South

East community has been our key objective throughout this process,” Ms Graham said.

“Both surgeons have provided service to Mount Gambier Hospital for nearly 50 years combined and we are looking forward to working together with Mr McCusker and Mr

Forbes to deliver quality surgical services into the future.”

Mr McCusker and Mr Forbes have agreed to the standards included within the four-year contract to provide public orthopaedic surgery services and emergency on-call services from the Mount Gambier District Health Service.

The surgeon’s four-year contract will take effect from January 5, 2016.

Source: CHSA