Monto health care facility forced to wait years for nursing staff

A Monto health care facility which has had a nursing position advertised for more than two years has spoken out on the pressures medical staff face when roles can’t be filled.

Health services in the North Burnett are struggling to attrack doctors and nurses. Ridgehaven Retirement Complex facility manager Mary Sharp has been trying to hire a registered nurse for two-and-a-half years.

There are dozens of jobs on offer for those in the medical field seeking a tree change to the rural towns in the beautiful Burnett region, however health services across the state have spoken up on the difficulties they face attracting and retaining staff.

From enrolled nurses right through to senior medical superintendents, the positions on offer often tote the benefits of the Burnett from “wide open spaces” to “strong community spirit”.

Shortages in medical staff have left many residents unable to access health care without driving hundreds of kilometres, including the almost 1800 South Burnett residents made to travel to Kingaroy for chemotherapy.

Enrolled and registered nurses are in high demand with more than a dozen positions available across the Wide Bay Burnett.

Ridgehaven Retirement Complex facility manager Mary Sharp has been trying to hire a registered nurse for two-and-a-half years.

She said pressures from Covid impacted the healthcare market, providing a new and enticing working opportunity for doctors and nurses wanting to be on the front lines of the pandemic.

The 36-bed complex has been forced to rely on enrolled nurses and carers to attend to its residents, and while Mrs Sharp spoke highly of her staff it was clear extra help would go a long way.

Ridgehaven Retirement Complex Monto. Ridgehaven Retirement Complex facility manager Mary Sharp has been trying to hire a registered nurse for two-and-a-half years.

“There’s been increased pressure from the government to have a registered nurse on staff 24/7,” Mrs Sharp said.

“That requires a large roster, and most people out there aren’t interested in rural positions.”

As the turnover continues, Mrs Sharp said she had to be mindful of the patient-to-staff balance, and at times chose not to take on patients due to lack of staff.

So desperate is the situation, Burnett residents are turning to alternative health methods, according to Biggenden Wholesome Health Food owner Amber Hurst.

“A lot of people we speak to in the community have gone to the doctors, if they can even find a local doctor, and been told ‘there’s nothing wrong with you’,” she said.

“Or the doctors go to a certain point in their care but they may not go beyond that or look at things through a different aspect.”

Queensland Health has acknowledged the difficulties rural towns face attracting health care professionals.

“The significant nationwide workforce shortages continue to be the greatest obstacle to sustainable regional, rural and remote health services,” a spokesperson said.

“Regional areas are actively recruiting critical health staff and free or subsidised accommodation assistance may be provided as an incentive to attract new employees to a particular centre or facility.”

Originally published as Monto health care facility forced to wait years for nursing staff