A TEMORA doctor has backed council’s push for a new hospital. The news comes after council passed a resolution last week to lobby the NSW Minster for Health, Brad Hazzard, about the matter.
Resident doctor at the local Medical Complex Rachel Christmas said there are many potential benefits in building a new hospital in Temora.
Dr Christmas said a new single-level building would definitely be an improvement on the current multi-levelled facility, and allow all hospital services to be located on the one level.
“A new hospital would be a wonderful thing. While all the teams involved in community care, nursing, allied health and mental health do have their own areas [now], which are functioning really well, if they were all located in the same space, that would be great.”
“A new facility could also improve morale.
“It would improve the way the hospital functions as a unit, because everyone would be in the same area and they would all have spaces appropriate to their environment. That would improve work vibes.”
But Dr Christmas also harboured concern that the push may lead to the government cutting back on necessary hospital staff.
“The government may hope that the thought of a new hospital detracts from the real needs of a hospital, which is having adequate staff to run it.”
“A new hospital won’t run without the right staff.”
“While we do have terrific staff at the Temora Hospital, like many country hospitals across the state, we are suffering from a lack of nursing professionals in certain areas and that has an impact on our clinical supervision.”
Meanwhile, Temora Mayor Rick Firman said while the hospital, opened in 1940, had served the town well, it was now time to plan for a new one.
He said the fact that it is an old building creates difficulties with upgrading infrastructure to meet the current standards and recommenda- tions.
He pointed out that space too had been exhausted “due to introduction of new programs and expanding services- essential for primary health care and keeping the community well in their homes.”
“Some services have had to rent other buildings within Temora to accommodate extra staff – such as the Community Mental Health team.”
“Further, being a multiple level building, the current hospital has an increased security risk for staff, especially after hours.”
“Safety for our patients is significant too, as the multi-level building increases the risk of a fall for confused and wander- ing patients.”
In addition, Cr Firman said some areas associated with the current hospital, are quite isolated, and some offices are located in Hoskins Street, far away from the main hos- pital building.”
As well, Cr Firman said being an old building, there were costs associated with maintaining it to appropriate standards.
“Being a large old building, there are also increased costs associated with heating and cooling.
The mayor has now formally requested a meeting with Mr Hazzard and local MP Steph Cooke on the matter. There are also further plans to talk with MLHD CEO Jill Ludford.
