Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett has raised the alarm with junior doctors still in the dark over who will train them at the Bundaberg Hospital.
These concerning revelations were made at the recent Bundaberg hearing by the Health and Environment Committee.
The committee heard submissions that the Bundaberg Hospital has trainee medical students commencing, but no information on who will train them once on placement.
Mr Bennett said this information immediately sent up red flags.
“Who will train our next generation of doctors?” he said.
“We desperately need more doctors and medical professionals in the Wide Bay, but how are we supposed to attract them when we can’t properly facilitate their educations?
“More alarming are the questions surrounding who is currently taking on this extra work?
“Is this now the burden of our already over-worked senior doctors?
“Our frontline doctors and nurses need help; they’re being worked to the bone with no end in sight.”
The Member for Burnett tabled a Question on Notice to the Minister for Health today.
Recent hearings in Bundaberg by the Health and Environment Committee heard submissions that Bundaberg Hospital has trainee medical students commencing but no information on who will train them once on placement. With no Professorships funded to the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service, can the Minister confirm whether this burden and responsibility will fall to existing senior doctors at the Hospital? Is the Minister aware that, according to Queensland Health’s Clinical Services Capability Framework this will take thirty percent of senior doctors’ productive time? Can the Minister confirm whether this will lead to elective surgery waiting lists increasing?
ENDS.
29/03/22