Lack of specialist emergency physicians is a prime concern

THE NEED for more specialist emergency physicians for the Mackay Base Hospital has been highlighted as a prime concern.

AMA Queensland president Dr Alex Markwell. Picture: Max Fleet

THE NEED for more specialist emergency physicians for the Mackay Base Hospital has been highlighted as a prime concern by the Queensland branch of the Australian Medical Association.

AMA Queensland president Dr Alex Markwell said doctors at the new emergency department had an extreme workload which was not sustainable.

The claim has been rejected by Mackay Health & Hospital executive officer Kerry McGovern.

Mr McGovern said the hospital's performance in the first National Health Performance Authority report showed the hospital's emergency department was one of the top 10 in the country.

Dr Markwell was speaking out as the AMA outlined their wish list for 2013.

Dr Markwell said regional hospital and health services boards were grappling with their budgets, and there was a concern that there could be more cuts and redundancies in order to make ends meet following the recent Federal funding clawback.

BASE HOSPITAL

ALTHOUGH recruitment and retention of senior medical staff was a significant challenge for every rural and regional health facility, Mackay's performance record spoke for itself, Kerry McGovern said.

"The Mackay Base Hospital emergency department is performing at a very high level, as is shown by figures in the first National Health Performance Authority report," Mr McGovern said.

"This report shows 77% of patients leave the emergency department within four hours of arriving, which is above the current Queensland target of 70%. Mackay rated in the top 10% within its peer group in Australia for this performance target, and we would not rate in this position if there was any basis to the AMA's claims."

However, Mr McGovern said the Mackay Health and Hospital Service was recruiting to fill vacancies in the emergency department.

"Any vacancy in the emergency department is filled by a locum doctor until the position is (filled)," he said.

Originally published as Lack of specialist emergency physicians is a prime concern