Help on the way for Mackay health workers

Help is on the way for bone-weary Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) staff with health workers from Townsville being deployed to the cyclone-devastated region.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Cameron Dick said more than 70 Townsville HHS staff including doctors, nurses, radiographers, midwives and support workers including social workers and trades staff will be deployed into the areas worst affected by Severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie throughout today and tomorrow.

They will provide support to Mackay HHS staff in their effort to provide medical care to their communities in the aftermath seere Tropical Cyclone Debbie which crossed the coast yesterday afternoon.

Mr Dick said he couldn't be prouder of the willingness of health workers in Townsville to roll out their sleeves and help.

“Townsville HHS is best placed to provide the initial wave of medical support to affected communities and the Mackay HHS,” he said.

“The willingness of our health workers in Townsville to volunteer to pitch in to help their colleagues in their neighbouring health service has been humbling.

“The communities and health workers at Bowen, Proserpine and Mackay should know that we stand with them and they will not be left to rebuild and recover alone.”

Dr Michael Young, the senior doctor for regional hospitals across the Townsville Hospital and Health Service, will be among the 72 health workers deployed to the region.

Dr Young has a personal connection to the region having spent more than a decade as a doctor in the Mackay HHS, including four years as Medical Superintendent of Bowen Hospital.

“I wouldn't be going if I didn't think I could make things a little easier to my good mates and colleagues in the Mackay health service,” he said.

“Our role will be to give local staff the chance to be available for their community with our priority to be support them in delivering health care.

“We are expecting a lot of trauma, difficult conditions and the usual presentations associated with busy rural hospitals.”

Townsville Hospital and Health Service Chief Operating Officer Kieran Mr Keyes said  Townsville Hospital would also act as the primary referral centre for patients at Bowen and Proserpine Hospitals.

“The Townsville Hospital was unaffected by this weather event and we are well positioned to care for the most serious patients from Bowen, Proserpine and the affected region,” he said.

“The Townsville HHS is ready, willing and able to stand with our neighbours during this incredibly difficult and distressing time.”

The health workers will be separated into two teams with 48 health workers being deployed to Proserpine, with 24 going to Bowen Hospital.

ENDS

Media contact: Michelle Wellington 0437 323 834