CONCERNS have been raised over just how well the Leeton District Hospital will be covered in an emergency over the Christmas break.
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The hospital’s regular doctors who share the on call roster are all on leave this year, meaning doctors from Griffith Base Hospital will be providing the medical cover at the emergency department.
One Leeton shire resident, who wished to remain anonymous, was worried if there was an emergency situation a doctor wouldn’t be able to attend the hospital in time.
“I’m not sure why there couldn’t have been at least one doctor from Leeton still on call,” the person said.
“I understand Christmas is a time for family and a break, but surely the roster could be shared around evenly each year.
“Unless a Griffith doctor is going to be based in Leeton during that time, they’ll still be having to travel 40 minutes just to get to the hospital here.
“It could be very dangerous.”
However, the Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) was confident the hospital would be cope during the holiday period.
MLHD director for operations Brett Thompson said the hospital would have “full medical coverage” for the Christmas and New Year period.
“Doctors from Griffith Base Hospital will provide medical cover at the Leeton emergency department while the hospital’s regular visiting medical officers are on leave,” he said.
“The new midwifery-led model of care will continue to be provided (throughout this time and into the new year).
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“We remind the community the emergency department will continue to be open 24 hours, seven days a week for medical emergencies, including public holidays.”
Residents have also been reminded not to use the emergency department for minor health issues, rather only for serious medical emergencies.
In an emergency call triple zero or for general advice phone Health Direct on 1800 022 222.