Accreditation boosts Tamworth ED

Tamworth Emergency Department has been recognised as a significant breeding ground for top emergency specialists, with a renewed 12-month accreditation for Advanced Training in Emergency Medicine.
Tamworth ED Staff Specialist Dr Nick Ryan said the accreditation, from the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine, was a significant achievement given the College had recently increased its expectations.
“The College has developed a list of standards for the Emergency Department to be considered appropriate to train potential emergency medicine specialists,” Dr Ryan explained.
“Tamworth ED has been accredited in the past, but the standards for accreditation have been made tougher and are now very stringent.  Our achievement of a 12-month accreditation is quite significant for a rural hospital of this size.”
Dr Ryan said the accreditation was particularly pleasing given the struggle to attract and retain doctors in rural areas.
“Our accreditation to train potential emergency medicine specialists for part of their compulsory four-years advanced training ties in nicely with the launch next year of the University of New England/University of Newcastle Bachelor of Medicine Undergraduate Degree.
“Research shows training doctors in rural areas increases the chances of getting them to stay in these areas, so these opportunities now available for young Registrars is great news for rural communities,” Dr Nick Ryan.
Tamworth Hospital General Manager Fergus Fitzsimons said it was encouraging to hear the college’s comments and their reasons for granting the accreditation and congratulated those involved.

“The College’s inspection team commented on the high regard in which the ED is held within the hospital, as well as the well-respected intensive care term and other rotations including anaesthetics, 

The good mix of cases and caseload available to trainees was another positive to come out of the inspection.

“My congratulations go to all involved with the accreditation. This is yet another positive reflection of the high standard of training and care provided by our committed team,” Mr Fitzsimons said.

Contact: Nick Hansen

Phone: (02) 4985 5522