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Tamworth Hospital ready for Country Music boom
8 January 2009
Last January, the Tamworth Hospital Emergency Department cared for more than 1200 patients during the Country Music Festival and we’re getting ready to do it all again – adding extra doctors and nurses to this year’s roster to cope with the annual boom of activity.
General Manager of Tamworth and Armidale hospitals Fergus Fitzsimons said the staff boost during the festival ensures all patients receive the best possible care in the shortest time possible.
“With more than 50,000 visitors expected to attend the 37th Country Music Festival, Tamworth Hospital and its staff play a key role in ensuring the event’s ongoing success,” Mr Fitzsimons said.
“Each festival our Emergency Department sees an additional 40 patients a day, so extra medical officers, emergency physicians and nurses will be on duty 24 hours a day to cater for the increase in presentations during the 10-day festival,” Mr Fitzsimons said.
Over the busiest days, between Monday 19 January and Monday 26 January, we will have measures in place to ensure patients with minor injuries and illnesses can be fast-tracked through the emergency department to reduce waiting times.
“We have appointed a ‘fast track’ nurse in the emergency department who is responsible for ensuring patients with minor injuries and illnesses are seen through the emergency department quickly to reduce waiting times during the festival,” Mr Fitzsimons said.
“A designated patient transfer team will assist with the movement of patients who require admission from the emergency department into the hospital to reduce the need for vital emergency department to leave the front line.
“Activity will be constantly monitored at the hospital throughout the festival and additional resources will be allocated as required.”
Contact: Emma Gibbs
Phone: 6767 7137 or 0428 114 767
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