CABOOLTURE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT RECOVERY PROGRESSING WELL
Published Tuesday, 16 January, 2007 at 06:00 AM
Minister for Health
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
Caboolture Hospital’s emergency department has quickly returned to normal, treating an average 94 patients each day, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.
“Today marks 12 months since the national doctor shortage temporarily reduced services at the Caboolture Hospital emergency department,” Mr Robertson said.
“Under an innovative partnership with Aspen Medical, the ED progressively increased its hours of operation and was fully restored on 18 April last year.
“Aspen has done a fine job managing the ED, successfully appointing six doctors to fill all senior medical officer positions and recruiting seven of nine registrars.
“Under the deal, Queensland Health is providing eight junior doctors and up to 40 nurses to work in the ED.
“The ED is functioning very well under its current arrangements and the Redcliffe-Caboolture Health Service District has decided to take up the option to extend Aspen Medical’s contract by another 12 months.
“When the original contract was signed in March last year, we stated that it included an option to carry on for another 12 months if required which will be worth another $7.08 million.
“The extended contract will begin on March 5 this year and give the ED enough time to transition back to Queensland Health next year.”
Mr Robertson said from 18 April to 31 December last year the Caboolture ED treated 24,138 patients, averaging 94 patients a day.
“It’s on par with activity during the six months before the reduction of services when it averaged 95 patients a day,” he said.
“It is also significantly higher than the average 62 patients the ED treated during the 28 days prior to its full re-opening.
“This is a very solid recovery and I thank Aspen and all Caboolture staff for the professional way in which they have guided the ED back to normal operations under very challenging circumstances.
“Redcliffe Hospital Emergency Department, which was affected by the reduction of services at Caboolture is also operating well.
“It treated 31,213 patients over the same period, averaging 121 patients a day.”
Mr Robertson said Aspen Medical was also completing a review of the ED under the original contract which includes a new model of care and staffing requirements so the ED can operate in a sustainable way well beyond the Aspen partnership.
“Aspen has also worked hard with Queensland Health to deliver improvements and greater investment in education and professional development at Caboolture,” he said.
“There has been a greater emphasis on training, particularly junior doctors, nurses and registrars and this translates to better patient care for the people of Caboolture.
“The Aspen agreement allowed Queensland Health to give the people of Caboolture the earliest possible return of a 24 hour emergency department.
“Under the agreement Caboolture residents have been provided with a fully functional, around-the-clock emergency department for the past nine months.”
16 January, 2007
MEDIA: Joshua Cooney 3234 1185 or 0409 069 056
“Today marks 12 months since the national doctor shortage temporarily reduced services at the Caboolture Hospital emergency department,” Mr Robertson said.
“Under an innovative partnership with Aspen Medical, the ED progressively increased its hours of operation and was fully restored on 18 April last year.
“Aspen has done a fine job managing the ED, successfully appointing six doctors to fill all senior medical officer positions and recruiting seven of nine registrars.
“Under the deal, Queensland Health is providing eight junior doctors and up to 40 nurses to work in the ED.
“The ED is functioning very well under its current arrangements and the Redcliffe-Caboolture Health Service District has decided to take up the option to extend Aspen Medical’s contract by another 12 months.
“When the original contract was signed in March last year, we stated that it included an option to carry on for another 12 months if required which will be worth another $7.08 million.
“The extended contract will begin on March 5 this year and give the ED enough time to transition back to Queensland Health next year.”
Mr Robertson said from 18 April to 31 December last year the Caboolture ED treated 24,138 patients, averaging 94 patients a day.
“It’s on par with activity during the six months before the reduction of services when it averaged 95 patients a day,” he said.
“It is also significantly higher than the average 62 patients the ED treated during the 28 days prior to its full re-opening.
“This is a very solid recovery and I thank Aspen and all Caboolture staff for the professional way in which they have guided the ED back to normal operations under very challenging circumstances.
“Redcliffe Hospital Emergency Department, which was affected by the reduction of services at Caboolture is also operating well.
“It treated 31,213 patients over the same period, averaging 121 patients a day.”
Mr Robertson said Aspen Medical was also completing a review of the ED under the original contract which includes a new model of care and staffing requirements so the ED can operate in a sustainable way well beyond the Aspen partnership.
“Aspen has also worked hard with Queensland Health to deliver improvements and greater investment in education and professional development at Caboolture,” he said.
“There has been a greater emphasis on training, particularly junior doctors, nurses and registrars and this translates to better patient care for the people of Caboolture.
“The Aspen agreement allowed Queensland Health to give the people of Caboolture the earliest possible return of a 24 hour emergency department.
“Under the agreement Caboolture residents have been provided with a fully functional, around-the-clock emergency department for the past nine months.”
16 January, 2007
MEDIA: Joshua Cooney 3234 1185 or 0409 069 056