A PENOLA resident who required emergency treatment at Penola War Memorial Hospital’s emergency department during a health scare has called for a State Government guarantee the department will reopen once the COVID-19 pandemic eases.
The facility shut its doors in March to safeguard elderly residents living with low immunity or co-morbidities at the co-located Pinchunga aged care facility, one of a handful of emergency departments across the state ordered to close due to the potential coronavirus risk to attached aged care services.
SA Health has stated the department would remain closed while the threat of COVID-19 lingers, with the hospital to triage emergency presentations and coordinate transport to larger hospitals in Mount Gambier or Naracoorte.
Penola Health Service nursing and midwifery acting director Pam Schubert said official health advice would be used to make appropriate decisions on the department’s reopening.
While understanding of the need to protect aged care residents in the attached facility, Penola resident Fiona Ralton is spearheading calls for a public guarantee the service would be reinstated.
Ms Ralton has first-hand experience of the importance of having an emergency department in Penola, having to present for treatment when her husband was not home.
“Firstly I was assessed and then I waited at the department for the ambulance to come and take me to Mount Gambier,” Ms Ralton said.
“When I was first diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease I was put on so many different medications and had really bad reactions but I was able to come to the emergency department and get those fixed which was good because I could not really drive.”
Ms Ralton said concerns over the department’s future was causing anxiety.
“It is quite worrying for the elderly as when my father was sick we brought him here and he had a complication,” she said.
“That was at around 2am and he needed urgent care so luckily we could bring him to the local department where he was dealt with and we were able to take him home.
“If the department was closed at the time that would have been a really huge trip back to either Naracoorte or Mount Gambier.”
Ms Ralton said having the emergency department open was a gateway for people needing critical care before needing to travel elsewhere.
“It is a concern that it will not reopen in the future not just for me but for the wider community,” she said.
“It is not only for people with chronic illnesses who deal with pain, we are also a major sporting town and it would affect them as well.”
Penola Health Service nursing and midwifery acting director Pam Schubert said the closure was to protect patients, aged care residents and staff at the site.
“While restrictions are being eased in South Australia, it is important that we continue to adhere to these precautions and take every possible step to help stop the spread and not undo the good,” Ms Schubert said.
“We encourage members of the community to continue to be vigilant, follow health guidelines and get tested no matter how mild symptoms are, as we know this has been instrumental in the fight against COVID-19 across our state.
“We are closely monitoring the situation as it evolves and will make appropriate decisions on the reopening of the emergency department when it is safe to do so based on official health advice.”
Ms Schubert said all visitors to the adjoining Pinchunga Aged Care would continue to be screened on arrival and have their temperature tested.
They must also have an influenza vaccination to gain entry with additional screening measures in place to identify travellers from interstate including Victoria.
