FRASER COAST HOSPITALS ON TRACK TO RESUME ORTHOPAEDIC SERVICES
Published Wednesday, 01 November, 2006 at 11:26 AM
Minister for Health
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
Hervey Bay and Maryborough hospitals are on track to resume comprehensive orthopaedic services for patients early in 2007, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.
Mr Robertson told State Parliament that some limited primary orthopaedic trauma and outpatient services have already resumed at Hervey Bay Hospital.
“The Fraser Coast Health Service District has also recommenced accepting referrals for orthopaedic surgical services and has fracture clinics at Hervey Bay and Maryborough Hospitals.
“And, from 13 November, a limited range of elective orthopaedic surgery as well as outpatient clinical services will recommence at the two hospitals.
“I am also advised that full orthopaedic services - including elective surgery - are on track to resume at the hospitals in January 2007.
“Queensland Health has recruited four additional visiting orthopaedic specialists plus new junior medical officers to staff the service.
“And clinical rosters, on-call arrangements, theatre and outpatient clinic schedules have been finalised.”
Mr Robertson said public orthopaedic services in the Fraser Coast Health Service District were suspended in May 2005 following concerns about the delivery and quality of that care.
“Since then, Queensland Health has been working closely with senior clinicians and the Australian Orthopaedic Association on planning for the resumption of full orthopaedic services.”
Labor MP for Hervey Bay, Andrew McNamara, welcomed the progressive resumption of local orthopaedic services.
“This is great news for the people of the Fraser Coast,” Mr McNamara said.
“Until now, only very limited orthopaedic trauma services have been available on the Fraser Coast and patients in need of multiple trauma orthopaedic surgery have had to travel to Brisbane.
“Patients with complex orthopaedic injuries will still need to be retrieved to major tertiary hospitals in Brisbane, but those with lower level trauma or undergoing rehabilitation will again have local services available.
“And patients waiting for elective orthopaedic surgery such as hip and knee replacements will have limited surgical service resume from 13 November and full local service available again from January.
“I want to thank all the senior clinicians and Queensland Health district staff who continue to work co-operatively towards the re-establishment of full public orthopaedic services on the Fraser Coast,” Mr McNamara said.
Mr Robertson said the progressive resumption of full orthopaedic services on the Fraser Coast was the result of careful planning by senior clinicians and Queensland Health staff.
“In particular, I would mention Dr Peter Brazel and Dr Simon Journeaux of the Australian Orthopaedic Association plus representatives of the Wide Bay Division of General Practitioners.
“We have deliberately taken a progressive approach to restoring full orthopaedic services on the Fraser Coast.
“It was important we had senior clinicians heavily involved in every step of the planning and decision-making for the improved orthopaedic services we will provide.
“It was equally important we waited until we recruited additional visiting orthopaedic specialists to ensure patient safety and the highest standard and quality of care.
“What we are achieving on the Fraser Coast demonstrates our commitment to giving clinicians a greater say in health decision-making to achieve better service delivery outcomes for patients,” Mr Robertson said.
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