Calvary Mater After Hours Clinic to Reopen This Month

BY OLIVIA DILLON

18 months after it was forced to close, the GP Access After Hours Clinic at the Calvary Mater Hospital will reopen at the end of the month. 

The service was reduced in December 2021 due to funding shortfalls. 

The announcement comes after the Federal Government announced a record $5.5 million investment to restore GP Access to its full capacity. 

The clinic will re-open on Monday the 29th of May and will be operational on Weekdays from 6pm-10pm, from 1pm-8pm on Saturdays, and from 9am-4pm on Sundays. 

Opening hours at the GP Access Centre in Toronto will also increase on Saturdays, with the clinic operating from 1pm-8pm from June 3rd. 

Staff at Hunter Primary Care have thanked community members and Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon for their work advocating to re-establish the service.

Calls to Use Wallsend Aged Care Facility to Ease Hunter Bed Block

BY OLIVIA DILLON 

Residents and MPs are calling on Hunter New England Health to explain the low occupancy rate at the Wallsend Aged Care Facility. 

It was recently revealed the facility has more than 60 per cent of its beds available, and has not taken a new resident for more than two years. 

It's estimated this means there are approximately 40 beds free. 

Wallsend state MP Sonia Hornery has expressed concern, the government plans to privatise or close the facility altogether. 

Ms Hornery said this doesn't make sense, considering the it has higher staffing ratios and better qualified staff than most federal facilities. 

"It's so important to keep the Wallsend Aged Care Facility in public hands and available for the community because the quality of care there is the best," she said. 

Hunter Health's Executive Director of Greater Metropolitan Health Services, Karen Kelly, told Newcastle Herald, the COVID-19 pandemic had led to the decrease in residents, with families hesitant to admit their loved ones following a string of outbreaks. 

However, Ms Hornery said two years on, Hunter Health could lift the occupancy rate if it wanted to. 

"My question to the government and to the Health Minister is, are people being discouraged from going to the aged care facility?"

Ms Hornery noted the bed block in Hunter hospitals, and said something needs to be done to ease the pressure on the health system. 

She suggested the Wallsend site be used as temporary accommodation for patients filling up hospitals in the region. 

"I'm calling on the government to ensure not only that the Wallsend Aged Care Facility remains open, but that the community is encouraged to use the facility for their family when it's needed," Ms Hornery said. 

"I'm calling on the government to consider using consider using this facility as respite, to free up some of the beds at the John Hunter and the Calvary Mater." 

"And I'm calling on the government to be open an transparent with the community about what's really happening at the Wallsend Aged Care Facility because there is some reason why we have so many beds vacant at this wonderful facility." 

The Wallsend Aged Care Facility has more than 60 per cent of its beds available, Hunter Health has confirmed. 

Young doctors feeling fatigue at the John Hunter

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A new survey has revealed high levels of fatigue in young Hunter doctors.

Data from the 2022 Australian Medical Association NSW Survey indicates 54% of doctors-in-training at John Hunter Hospital felt they had made a fatigue-induced error while working. 

This was higher than the state average of 46%. 

52% also reported experiencing a heavy or very heavy inpatient workload.

In comparison, 32% of Maitland Hospital workers, and 45% at the Calvary Mater, felt they had made a mistake due to tiredness. 

Figures out of the Mater also indicate 73% of staff members were concerned about their health and safety in regards to their roster. 

The results come after the COVID-19 pandemic shook the region, with staff furloughs meaning doctors were forced to cover shifts for sick staff members. 

AMA NSW Doctors-in-Training Committee co-chair Dr Sanjay Hettige, told Newcastle Herald the pandemic had both increased and highlighted the pressure felt by young doctors. 

And, Executive Director of Medical Services at Hunter New England Health, Professor Trish Davidson said improving these statistics is a significant focus moving forward. 

Calvary Mater Newcastle Appoints First Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer

BY CATHERINE ALLEN

Calvary Mater Hospital in Newcastle has appointed Kamilaroi woman Margaret Whitson to the role of Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer following community consultation that revealed a need for the position.

"It's been a wish of the community for a while now," said the hospital's Director of Mission Mary Ringstad.

"We conducted a cultural safety audit two years ago, and it was very apparent from the Aboriginal community that one of the critical determinants of their at-home-ness in a hospital environment and their comfort at being in a hospital environment, is the presence of an Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer."

"This person actually provides the vital link for the Aboriginal community in coming into hospital and feeling confident and safe in this environment".

Ms Whitson will be responsible for providing advocacy, education, emotional, practical, social and welfare support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and their families, ensuring referrals and linkages are made to appropriate community support programs.

The position will also enable Ms Whitson to work with hospital staff in creating and implementing programs and strategies that will assist in improving health outcomes for Indigenous patients.

"We are delighted that Margaret is now on hand to provide the support our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and their families need while being cared for at Calvary Mater Newcastle,"

"Margaret's work in the hospital directly contributes to the outcomes for this at-risk population," Ms Ringstad said.

Margaret Whitson will be available at Calvary Mater Newcastle from Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5pm.

 

UPDATE: Police Investigate Shooting At Waratah West

BY IAN CROUCH

Police have set up a crime scene as investigations continue into an overnight shooting at Waratah West.

The incident unfolded near the intersection of Acacia Avenue and Allowah Street at about 11pm

Neighbours have told police they heard two gunshots and raced outside to see two men assaulting another man and a silver sedan with its rear passenger and side windows shattered.

It's understood a 25-year-old man was then dropped off at the Calvary Mater Hospital by someone driving the silver sedan - he'd suffered gunshot wounds to his right thumb and right shoulder.

Police say it's likely the man will lose his thumb - he's still sedated and officers are yet to obtain a full statement from him.

He's expected to be transferred to a Sydney Hospital for specialist treatment.

EARLIER:

Police are investigating a shooting at Waratah West overnight.

A 24-year-old man was dropped off at the Calvary Mater Hospital at about 11 last night with gunshot wounds to his hand and shoulder.

At the same time, police were called to the intersection of Acacia Avenue and Allowah Street following reports of shots being fired.

A crime scene has been set up at the intersection as investigations continue.

Police are yet to speak to the man due to his medical state, but it's understood his injuries are not life-threatening.

Calvary Mater Recognised for Outstanding Care

BY GRACE LANCASTER

The International Hospital Federation has recognised Newcastle's Calvary Mater Hospital for its Very Intensive Patients program.

Amongst 131 entries, from 90 organisations in 24 countries, the Calvary Mater was selected as a finalist for their program which identifies patients at risk of re-admission to hospital, both reducing their risk and improving their quality of life.

The program which was implemented in July 2015, has demonstrated promising results with re-admissions falling by 29% in hospitals that adopted the program including Maitland and Kurri Kurri.

Acting Assistant Director of Clinical Services for Nursing, Roslyn Barker, accepted the award on behalf of the hospital and believes the success of the program falls on understanding the patient's condition.

“By listening to patients and understanding the social determinants of health factors which impact on the patients’ health, we can tailor personalised support from our community partners to best meet patient needs and reduce readmission rates", she said.

"We need to make sure these days are special, and the patient is doing what they want, which may not be sitting in a hospital bed."