IN JANUARY Manning Health Committee sounded the alarm that NSW Ambulance was bypassing Manning Hospital to take patients to Port Macquarie Base Hospital.
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Moderate and major trauma patients were being driven 80 kilometres to Port Macquarie and committee chair Don Macinnis OAM defended staff and services at Manning Hospital saying the hospital could "cope with any trauma that comes our way".
"Manning Hospital has a role to play in trauma work. There is no point in keeping a trauma department manned 24-hours around the clock if it is not going to be used."
This week NSW Ambulance sent jockeys injured in the Bushland Drive Racecourse race fall in Taree to Port Macquarie Hospital and John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle.
Mr Macinnis is again sounding the alarm.
"Our hospital is not being used for trauma accidents," Mr Macinnis said.
"I'm concerned that patients are being taken outside our area when we are supposed to be building our hospital and its services."
The NSW Trauma Plan is the document that drives the decision as to where patients are sent for treatment and currently, Manning Hospital is not classified as a regional trauma service hospital (RTS) under its T1 protocol criteria and not able to take patients with moderate to major trauma.
The committee recently wrote to the NSW Institute of Trauma and Injury Management (ITIM) the NSW government body responsible for monitoring and co-ordinating the NSW trauma system seeking information about the process and requirements for reclassification.
Earlier this year Lower Mid North Coast Sector Manager Jodi Nieass said the NSW Trauma Plan "specifies designated staffing is required for RTS. Specifically a part-time trauma director, full-time trauma nurse co-ordinator or clinical nurse consultant and part-time trauma registry manager. Manning Hospital does not have these positions within the hospital."
The Manning River Times has asked Hunter New England Health the following questions:
o Is Hunter New England Health supportive of the push by Manning Hospital Health Committee to have Manning Hospital staffed and resourced to enable trauma patients to be treated in Taree and not transferred to Port Macquarie?
o Is Hunter New England Health intending to resource Manning Hospital with the required staff to meet the T1 protocol criteria?
RELATED STORY: Taree's 'band-aid hospital'
UPDATE: Hunter New England Health did not answer the questions asked by the Manning River Times but provided the following statement from Lower Mid North Coast Sector Manager Jodi Nieass:
"Manning Hospital, like the majority of hospitals in NSW, is not a designated trauma service. However, our hospital continues to play a significant role in the treatment of trauma patients.
Manning Hospital has 24 hour-access to medical and nursing staff with appropriate skills and expertise to assess, resuscitate and manage patients with major trauma. The hospital also has access to diagnostic services, operating theatres, an intensive care unit and inpatient beds if required.
The NSW Trauma Services Plan was established in 2009. The Plan transcends local health district boundaries with public health facilities working as part of a network. This ensures trauma patients from all corners of the State receive the best possible care.
The NSW Trauma Plan specifies designated staffing required for Regional Trauma Services. Specifically: a part-time trauma director, full-time trauma nurse coordinator or clinical nurse consultant and part-time trauma registry manager. Manning Hospital does not have these specific trauma positions.
Manning Hospital is staffed in line with the services provided in Taree and is complemented by services offered at John Hunter Hospital. This ensures our patients receive the highest quality trauma care.
The NSW Institute of Trauma and Injury Management (ITIM), an institute within the Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI), is conducting an evaluation of trauma services across the state, with a specific focus on patient outcomes."
PREVIOUS STORIES:
January 8, 2016: Manning Hospital bypassed by ambulance services
January 14, 2016: Push to review Manning Hospital classification
February 26, 2016: Committee champions case for hospital reclassification
March 4, 2016: Hospital bypass costly for patients
ainslee.dennis@fairfaxmedia.com.au