Narrabri LHAC supports new after-hours plan

12 January 2010

Members of the Narrabri Local Health Advisory Committee (LHAC) have voiced their support for a new after-hours program which was recently introduced at Narrabri District Health Service.

The new program will decrease the after-hours workload of the hospital’s doctors and provide quicker treatment for some patients.

The initiative has changed how some patients are treated in the emergency department (ED). Under the new program, those patients who attend the Narrabri ED with less urgent conditions after-hours are assessed by an appropriately skilled senior registered nurse, and referred to see the doctor the following day.

Narrabri Health Service Manager Sharon Simpson said that often people who visited emergency departments were seeking treatment that registered nurses are quite capable of providing – not necessarily a doctor.

“This new system is going a long way to relieve the pressure on our doctors. It has also empowered our nursing staff to utilise their wide range of professional skills, while at the same time ensuring people get access to care with the most appropriate health professional,” Ms Simpson said.

Hunter New England Health is fortunate to have four dedicated doctors currently working as part of the Narrabri Hospital team;
Dr Ojah, Dr Moroney, Dr Paas, and Dr Hussain.

These doctors are regularly on-call at the emergency department, as well as provide care for the hospital’s acute patients.

Hunter New England Health suggested the ED initiative to Narrabri LHAC members a number of months ago, with the group endorsing the positive approach to patient-focused care.

LHAC member and President of the Narrabri Hospital Auxiliary, Sally Alexander, said Narrabri LHAC members were always on the lookout for proactive ways to improve patient care and support the health service, on behalf of the local community.

“The hospital is the hub of our town and the LHAC supports any initiative that benefits both doctors and the community,” Mrs Alexander said.

“We think it is a great idea that ED patients with less serious conditions will be assessed and treated by an appropriately skilled senior registered nurse, and not call the doctor so frequently after hours. It’s just common sense, and we hope the community embraces the concept.

“The new after-hours ED program not only streamlines care for patients, but it will also go a long way towards reducing the load on our doctors. The more we can do to provide incentives, resources and support for our health staff, the more attractive Narrabri Hospital will be to other practitioners considering moving to a regional centre.”

Narrabri Hospital’s after-hours ED program began on 17 December 2009 and will be regularly evaluated.

(HNE-2129)

Contact: Carisa Green

Phone: (02) 6767 7135 or 0428 106 183