Hunter New England Health is expecting to receive a copy of a report later this week from an external review team who were reviewing clinical issues and processes at Tenterfield Health Service.

The independent expert review team (comprising a clinical governance manager, a rural GP and a senior nurse, all from health services outside of the Hunter New England Health) was asked to review clinical processes within the hospital and to ensure that the internal review process examined all relevant issues pertaining to medical services available at the Tenterfield Health Service.

During the review period, Hunter New England Health has been able to continue clinical services at Tenterfield Health Service, thanks to support from the existing Visiting Medical Officers and various locums from within other Hunter New England Health services.

Support has continued to be made available to staff at the Health Service, through the Employee Assistance Program, as well as from local management.

Acting Hunter New England Health Chief Executive, Dr Nigel Lyons said Hunter New England Health is responsible to ensure the highest quality services at each of its facilities.

"We have taken these steps to make sure people get safe, appropriate care and we make no apologies for that.

"The purpose of review was to make sure that the internal review process was seamless and transparent, and to provide further recommendations with regard to clinical care. We have no intentions to downgrade services at Tenterfield.

"Our commitment to Tenterfield Health Service has also been evident by the current $300,000 refurbishment to the staff accommodation which will make Tenterfield Health Service a more attractive place for staff to visit and work.

"People in Tenterfield also have improved access to dental services with confirmation that a private dentist commenced a two day a week service from Tenterfield Health Service (physically located in the Tenterfield Hospital Clinics building) from 8 October 2007.

"We are also pleased that Dr Mondal has confirmed his commitment to stay on and provide on-call medical services to Tenterfield Health Service. With his and other GP assistance, we have been able to fill all on-call vacancies to date, including this coming weekend," he said.

Dr Lyons said an outcome of the internal review is that Hunter New England Health is working with local GPs on various strategies for improving teamwork amongst the medical staff at Tenterfield.

"We are also pleased that the Telehealth process of linking local doctors in the Tenterfield Emergency Department with senior emergency staff in Tamworth, is working very well.

"Telehealth facilities are used by many of our rural, regional and metropolitan facilities, particularly in relation to critical care. It gives local staff the opportunity to instantly network with senior staff in Tamworth about advice and feedback on patient care.

"Supporting local doctors in their roles as Visiting Medical Officers is something we think is very important and are committed to continuing," he said.

Mr Ken Hampson, who has been Acting Health Service Manager at Tenterfield temporarily since Tuesday, 25 September and providing management support during the review period, will be returning to Taree at the end of next week.

Dr Lyons said Mr Hampson has worked closely with staff, community and the Tablelands Cluster General Manager, Ms Wendy Mulligan during the past few weeks and the Area Health Service is grateful to Mr Hampson for lending valuable assistance at short notice.

Dr Lyons said that since taking leave, the previous Tenterfield Health Service Manager has accepted another management position and will not be returning to Tenterfield.

"The Tenterfield Health Service Manager position is currently being actively advertised both internally in Hunter New England Health/NSW Health and externally in major metropolitan newspapers across the East Coast, with a number of enquiries having been received to date," Dr Lyons said.

As the recruitment process is expected to take several weeks, the health service will continue to fill the position with senior managers from the Tablelands Cluster on an interim basis until it’s filled permanently.