The Minister for Health has been questioned over a serious health crisis looming at the Bundaberg Hospital due to a lack of heart doctors.
Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett asked Minister D’Ath what immediate actions are being taken to prevent the crisis, with the region under threat of having only one interventional cardiologist.
“This is serious, we need more heart doctors before lives are put at risk,” he said.
“A number of doctors and hospital staff have contacted me fearing people will be harmed, or worse die unnecessarily, if something is not done urgently.
“Our local cardiology service has been reduced to two, with one looking towards retirement. Queensland Health cannot seriously expect one person to look after the hearts of 204,000 people?!
“There have been reports that overseas trained cardiologists have been turned away due to bureaucracy, in the meantime our two remaining cardiologists are being worked to the limit.
“I’m asking all levels of government to do everything in their power to bring more cardiologists to the Bundaberg region before it’s too late.”
Mr Bennett tabled a Question on Notice for Minister D’Ath in State Parliament this morning.
In relation to cardiologists at Bundaberg Hospital –
- Can the minister confirm how many cardiologists are currently at Bundaberg Hospital.
- What processes if any, are currently in place to recruit more cardiologists; and
- How many cardiologists are expected to be recruited to Bundaberg Hospital?
Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said it had been radio silence from the Federal Health Minister on this vital issue.
“I submitted a Question in Writing to the Federal Health Minister on 26 September and have had no response. I wrote to the Minister on 20 October to request an urgent meeting with Dr Hermann Wittmer and myself, and are yet to receive a response,” he said.
“It’s not just cardiology patients who are impacted if more cardiologists can’t be recruited to work here. It’s any patient that needs to undergo surgery but needs a cardiac assessment first.
“The Federal Health Minister needs to realise the serious consequences to patient safety and health outcomes for the people in our community if he won’t make chances to the District Workforce Shortage program.”
A petition has been launched to address the shortage of cardiologists.
To sign the petition please visit: https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/more-heart-doctors-for-hinkler.html
10/11/2022