Medical Clinic in Tomaree grounds set to help out local ED
A new Medical Clinic in the Port Stephens area is providing local people with greater access to General Practioners and it’s hoped it will also provide an opportunity for Hunter New England Health to attract and retain permanent medical staff.
Recently opening in October on the grounds of Tomaree Health Campus, Tomaree Medical Centre boasts a Bulk Billing General Practice Medical Clinic, Specialist Medical Clinics and a Pathology Collection Service.
Manager and Director of Nursing at Tomaree Community Hospital, Mr Gary Spain said two local doctors, Dr Sheahan Ranasinghe and Dr Dottie Prinsloo now work full time with Ochre Health, who supply the medical staff for the Tomaree Community Hospital, and these doctors will alternatively manage the clinic.
“The clinic was established after data showed that over the past five years, the number of people presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) with non-urgent medical conditions had significantly increased,” Mr Spain said.
The Medical Clinic’s role is to reduce the workload in the ED and create better patient outcomes. While not intended to replace the role of General Practitioners in the Port Stephens area, this Medical Clinic will provide people with the opportunity to see a General Practitioner quickly if required and allow nursing staff the ability to focus care on acute and emergency situations, as well as giving more time for care of our inpatients in the hospital
Prior to the Tomaree Medical Centre opening, the Hospital was relying on locums commuting each day from Sydney for medical services to Tomaree Community Hospital. The hospital still relies on locums after hours, but the Tomaree Medical Centre provides an opportunity for the health service to attract and retain permanent medical staff who are living locally. They are able to provide clinical leadership to our local hospital and also continuity of care for inpatients and emergency department presentations.
“We are excited to be working with doctors that have a full time commitment to living in the Port Stephens area,” Mr Spain said.
“The Medical Clinic will also provide an opportunity for us to bring more specialist services into town so that people do not have to travel to Newcastle to receive the appropriate treatment,” Mr Spain said.
The Medical Clinic will also house a weekly ante-natal clinic conducted by midwives from John Hunter Hospital. Hunter Area Pathology Service (HAPS) is now operating a collection service from the Tomaree Medical Clinic. The Medical Clinic and HAPS bulk bill patients.
The Tomaree Medical Centre is open 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday - Friday (please note limited appointments only on Tuesdays). Hunter Area Pathology Service (HAPS) is open all mornings except for Sundays and Public Holidays. Specialist clinics will be Monday to Friday and appointments can be made through referral by General Practitioners. You can contact the Tomaree Medical Centre for a GP appointment by phoning (02) 4984 0780.
Contact: Abbey Wright
Phone: (02) 4921 4477