Extra Staff Fail To Meet Mater's Identified Need
Newcastle Herald
Saturday September 1, 2007
HUNTER New England Health has failed to fully address a staffing crisis at the Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital, where an "urgent need" for an extra 3.3 full-time equivalent senior physicians has been identified.
In a press release issued late yesterday NSW Health Minister Reba Meagher endorsed plans by Hunter New England Health chief executive Dr Nigel Lyons to fund the recruitment of 1.9 full-time equivalent staff.A roster obtained by The Herald in July revealed staff shortages were so severe there would be no general physician on duty for one in every four days between July and December.That shortage is being filled by senior staff taking on more shifts and a heavier workload than was identified in the review as being "safe and sustainable work practices and conditions".Dr Lyons said the review, which was commissioned and accepted by the area health service, had only served as "a guide"."That was used as a basis for negotiation and it was used as a guide but the review . . . identified there was a shortfall," he said.
© 2007 Newcastle Herald
