THE state’s key doctors union has called on health authorities to appoint a medical professional to fill the temporary vacancy of a high ranking regional health position.
This follows Country Health SA South East Health Services regional director Jayne Downs – who is based at Mount Gambier Hospital – planning to take extended leave.
Recruitment for the prominent health position is under way.
South Australian Salaried Medical Officers Association industrial officer Michele Evans yesterday called for Country Health SA to appoint a medical professional to the role.
She urged Country Health SA not to appoint a person with a purely administrative background given the ongoing medical workforce issues gripping Mount Gambier Hospital.
“This is badly required given many of the review recommendations are yet to be completed,” Ms Evans told The Border Watch yesterday.
The key union officer also cautioned Country Health SA not to appoint a medical professional from within Mount Gambier Hospital given it would likely place further strain on the health facility.
Ms Evans said health authorities should look at the southern health region or the Flinders Medical Centre for a possible replacement.
“We need to see someone step in to achieve the recommendations of the review,” she said.
Ms Evans claimed the hospital continued to be plagued by medical workforce issues, most notably around the attraction and retention of senior doctors.
“These issues remain ongoing and I intend to write to Ms Downs for an update of the review – there has not been an update forsome time,” she said.
In particularly, Ms Evans said she wanted to progress the recommendation that would see doctors rotated at major metropolitan hospitals to increase expertise in Mount Gambier Hospital’s emergency department.
While discussions were believed to be under way, she said she was unsure how far they had progressed.
In late October, Country Health SA had only completed nine of the 22 recommendations.
According to a statement provided by Country Health SA, it is advertising to “temporarily backfill” Ms Downs’ position.
“I’m looking forward to taking a break and returning next year,” Ms Downs said.
“Given the length of the backfill cover required, Country Health SA is advertising to temporarily fill the position.”
Ms Downs will be on leave from December 23,2017, to September, 9 2018.
