Patient figures at both Warwick and Stanthorpe Hospitals have revealed a staggering workload for health staff, as pressure mounts on regional health services and the possibility of further job cuts loom.
Warwick Hospital has a total of seven doctors who treated more than 400 patients per week, or more than 1700 patients during the month of January this year, figures from the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service revealed.
Stanthorpe Hospital has a total of six doctors who treated almost 200 patients per week or about 760 during January this year.
The types of injuries included chest pain, motor vehicle accidents, falls, lacerations, farming accidents, broken bones, and eye injuries.
Weekends were the busiest time for both hospitals with an average of 206 patients seen from midnight on Friday, to midnight Sunday – across both sites.
The figures have revealed the importance of retaining hospital doctors, practitioners and health staff, despite the possibility of further cutbacks aimed at reducing contractors, including doctors, which is currently under review by the DDHH Service board.
But further cuts could add to resident concerns for lengthy waiting times and the demands for an increase in regional health services.
During a recent tour of Darling Downs, AMA Queensland president Dr Alex Markwell said a more robust private health sector across both Warwick and Stanthorpe could help alleviate some of the hospital waiting times.
Her message came after several residents said hospital emergency departments were being “unnecessarily tied up” with patients presenting non-urgent health issues.
One resident, who did not want to be named, said the Warwick Hospital waiting room was often visited by residents wanting medical certificates for a day or more off work, which he said could have been done at a local private GP.
Meanwhile, the Free Times questioned Darling Downs Hospital and Health (DDHH) Service Southern Cluster Operations Manager, Bill Jelacic, over further cutbacks and when they would be announced.
Mr Jelacic could not set a date or timeframe, but said the DDHH Service was acutely aware of the workload at both Warwick and Stanthorpe Hospitals.
“As always we strive to bring efficiencies in all our hospitals and health services and constantly review patient numbers and service delivery,” he said.
“Our highest priority is patient care and we will ensure we have appropriate staffing to ensure we deliver health services to the Warwick and Stanthorpe communities.”
More than 21,630 patients were seen during 2012 at Warwick Hospital and Stathorpe Hospital received a total of 7719 in 2012.
