St Marys doctor quits after 16 years saying he was pressured to sign contract
Hundreds of people at St Marys face a “worrying time” as the future of their medical care, hospital and pharmacy hang in the balance after the local doctor quit, saying he was pressured into re-signing his contract.
Tasmania
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tasmania. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Hundreds of people at St Marys face a “worrying time” as the future of their medical care, hospital and pharmacy hang in the balance after the local doctor, who worked long hours for 16 years, quit saying he was pressured into re-signing his contract.
Dr Cyril Latt will sell his private practice and leave the hospital in November.
His resignation comes as the recent Bush Summit highlighted a lack of GPs in rural areas with Oatlands and Launceston GP Dr Elizabeth Lord saying Dr Latt “worked tirelessly” for his community.
“It is no wonder he needs a break,” she said.
“Sadly it shows just how precarious our primary health care system is – overnight hundreds of Tasmanians can lose access to a GP for medical care.
“It will be a really worrying time for a lot of people who he looked after and in a small rural community emergency services and palliative care are really important. It will be hard to attract someone walking into such a huge workload.”
Break O’Day mayor Michael Tucker said the government needed to ensure a replacement was found.
“If you don’t have a GP you don’t have a pharmacy, so that is under threat and will create a lot of uncertainty. It is absolutely paramount that the government ensures the hospital stays open.”
Labor Lyons MP Jen Butler said without Dr Latt the St Marys hospital cannot operate because a registered GP had to service the beds, “meaning it will effectively close”.
Ms Butler said Dr Latt had 1600 patients and was a “fabulous doctor” who worked 80 hours a week, 7 days a week, for 10 years.
“The situation with Dr Latt is a masterclass in mismanagement and it should never have happened,” she said.
Patient Barbara Longue said it was disturbing to see how he had been treated by the health department who had “stuffed him around massively”.
“He has cared deeply for this community for 16 years and he will be a massive loss”.
In a letter to Health Minister Guy Barnett, Dr Latt said he was given only 24 hours’ notice of a change to his contract that meant he would not be allowed to work at the hospital.
“I was told that if I did not sign, all the current inpatients (including a palliative patient) would need to be transferred to other facilities the next day and the hospital will be closed,” he wrote.
“I signed it because I could not accept on my conscience for my palliative patient, who was dying, to be transferred.”
Mr Barnett said the health department would work to ensure “a smooth transition of services”.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff thanked Dr Latt and said the government would “ensure continuity of service for the people of St Marys”.
“The clear message that I have for the community is that we are with you, standing by you, and will ensure that continuity of service.”
susan.bailey@news.com.au
Originally published as St Marys doctor quits after 16 years saying he was pressured to sign contract
Join the conversation
Serial violent offender beats up dad’s neighbour with chair leg
He previously punched a supermarket worker in the face and hit his father in the back with a chair. Now, a man is in trouble again for his latest alcohol-fuelled assault.
Read more
Royal Hobart Hospital cleaners ‘floored’ by staff move
Lack of hospital linen and staffing shortages are common complaints among Royal Hobart Hospital’s cleaning staff. But management’s latest move has left staff feeling “floored”.
Read more