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Tamworth Hospital ready for Country Music boom
January 10, 2008
Additional doctors and nurses will be on hand around the clock during the Tamworth Country Music Festival to cope with the expected increase in activity at Tamworth Hospital’s Emergency Department.
General Manager of Tamworth Hospital, Fergus Fitzsimons, said measures to be implemented during the festival period aim to ensure patients receive the best possible care in a quick and efficient manner.
“Extra medical officers, emergency physicians and nurses will be on duty 24 hours a day to cater for the significant increase in visitations during the 10-day festival,” Mr Fitzsimons said.
“Over the busiest days, between Monday 21 January and Monday 28 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.
“A designated patient transfer team will assist with the movement of patients who require admission from the emergency department into the hospital to reduce time out of the department by emergency staff.”
“Activity will be constantly monitored at the hospital throughout the festival and additional resources will be allocated as required. With more than 50,000 visitors expected to attend the 36th Country Music Festival, Tamworth Hospital and its staff play a key role in ensuring the event’s ongoing success,” Mr Fitzsimons said.
As the fans start arriving in Tamworth for the annual Country Music Festival, staff at Tamworth Hospital are preparing for what is traditionally one of the busiest times of the year.
Mr Fitzsimons said a range of measures are put in place each year to accommodate the increased number of people coming to the emergency department during the Country Music Festival.
“To accommodate the extra 30 to 40 presentations a day that go through the emergency department during the festival we have extra medical officers, emergency physicians and nurses on duty 24 hours a day including more senior doctors in the emergency department,” Mr Fitzsimons said.
“We have also appointed a fast track nurse in the emergency department who is responsible for ensuring patients with minor injuries and illnesses are fast-tracked through the emergency department to reduce waiting times during the festival.”
Mr Fitzsimons said visitors could avoid an unnecessary trip the emergency department by remembering to bring their prescription medicines with them and ensuring they are taken in accordance with their normal routine.
He said Tamworth Hospital management meets regularly with other service providers in the lead up to the Country Music Festival each year including the Tamworth Regional Council, NSW Ambulance, NSW Police and St John’s Ambulance.
“We have developed a comprehensive brochure detailing all the contact information and locations for medical assistance during the festival. It also provides advice about avoiding common ailments like dehydration and food poisoning.”
The brochure is available from Tamworth Hospital, St John First Aid sites, Tamworth Information Centre, Tamworth Regional Council and various accommodation venues.
“Since the beginning of the Tamworth Country Music Festival Tamworth Hospital continues to each year meet the needs of the community and visitors to the region.”
Contact: Emma Gibbs
Phone: 6767 7137 or 0428 114 767
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