Residents call for review Camden’s hospitals

A SPRING Farm mother has questioned the role of the Camden Hospital emergency unit after it lacked the resources to assist her four-year-old son.

Rachele Curle has questioned the role of Camden Hospital, after the emergency department couldn’t help her four-year-old son Xavier. Picture: Robert Pozo.

A SPRING Farm mother has questioned the role of the Camden Hospital emergency unit after it lacked the resources to assist her four-year-old son.

Mother-of-five, Rachele Curle, took her son Xavier to Camden Hospital in a panic when she discovered an object stuck up his nose but was sent to Campbelltown Hospital’s unit where she had to wait fours for help.

Residents have asked for a review of hospital services in Camden, due to the booming population.

Residents have raised the need for a review of hospital services in the Camden area due to its booming population as part of the Go Macarthur campaign.

“I don’t understand why they bother having an emergency department in Camden, when it can’t cater for its community,” Mrs Curle said. “More funds and resources need to be allocated to the hospital.”

Campbelltown and Camden hospitals general manager Alison Derrett said Camden Hospital provided quality emergency care.

“Patients who require specialist care are transferred or referred to Campbelltown Hospital,” she said.

Ms Curle feels Camden Hospital is not able to cater for the needs of the community.

“Our staff ensure the experience of visiting an Emergency Department is as safe and efficient as possible. The two facilities operate in a shared network of staff and services.”

Ms Derrett said on average, approximately only 10 per cent of patients are transferred from Camden to Campbelltown Hospital.

Camden state Liberal MP Chris Patterson said he was glad to hear Xavier had recovered but that residents should not expect every hospital to cater for every situation. “Unfortunately, not all hospitals can cater for every type of incident,” he said.

“I have four children myself and if they needed to be treated at Camden or Campbelltown Hospital, I would be happy.

State Liberal MP Chris Patterson said he would more than comfortable to have his four children treated at Camden Hospital.

“The State Government has invested $139 million on Campbelltown Hospital and allocated another $300 million, which is more than the Labor Government spent in 16 years.”

Mr Patterson said he had no doubt that Camden Hospital could cater for any medical emergency.

A total of $439 million has been allocated to Campbelltown Hospital upgrades in recent years, but no significant upgrades have occurred at Camden Hospital.