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24 June 2008 30 new emergency specialists for NSW
NSW Minister for Health Reba Meagher said today an additional 30 emergency specialists (list below) had been recruited to the state's health system as a result of the $30 million emergency department package announced last December. Ms Meagher said the new physicians come in time for the winter flu season and will help boost the Iemma Government's 2008 NSW Winter Health Strategy. "The Iemma Government's multi-pronged strategy will help our hospitals to manage the needs of an additional 20,000 patients expected over the winter months," Ms Meagher said. "Our hospitals have an excellent track record of gearing-up to deal with this increased demand and just last month the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report stated that emergency department waiting times in NSW are the best in the country. "Not only is the Iemma Government providing an additional 124 acute care beds to build the capacity of Medical Assessment Units for winter, we are also delivering on our commitment to deliver more staff. "In November last year we promised to recruit 35 new emergency specialists and already we are on track to meet that commitment. "The additional 30 emergency specialists include 3 specialists who have been appointed to Area of Need positions since the recruitment campaign began, with two having already commenced work and one more due to start later this year." Ms Meagher said the introduction of the new patient tracking and information system in our Emergency Departments was also assisting our emergency staff. "The FirstNet Emergency Department program is part of an $80 million four-year strategy to revolutionise clinical information technology in NSW public hospitals," Ms Meagher said. "FirstNet replaces the previous ED patient tracking software and provides clinicians with easy access to emergency patient information by enabling for the first time activity in the emergency department to be viewed from any location. "FirstNet has now been introduced in 15 hospitals to date and a further 7 hospitals will receive this new technology in the near future." The 2008 NSW Winter Health Strategy is also delivering 2,916 extra ComPacks, 2,356 extra CAPACS, Chronic Disease Rehabilitation and the NSW Influenza Surveillance Program. Hospitals to benefit from the emergency physician recruitment drive include:
For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au |
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