Gunnedah Health Service health services manager Melissa O’Brien  reassured the Gunnedah community yesterday that despite the departure of two local GPs, the service was working to provide “the best emergency care for patients admitted to the ED [emergency department]”.

But the issue has raised alarm bells for Gunnedah doctor Daniel Rankmore who described the situation as a “staffing crisis”.

The emergency department is believed to have been without a doctor for at least two day-time shifts this week.

“The emergency department at Gunnedah Health Services offers an essential 24-hour service to our community,” Dr Rankmore said.

“Last year, it managed 8465 patient presentations. In practice that is 15-30 patients each and every day of the year – Monday morning, Sunday night and Christmas Day; rain, hail or shine.

“However, if you presented on Thursday morning, you might have been a little shocked to discover that no doctor could be found.”

Dr Rankmore said the situation was a concern for Gunnedah residents who would be taken to Tamworth in an emergency if no doctor could be made available from a local practice.

“It’s really challenging and it’s hard to see how it will pick up,” he said.

“I don’t think we can do any more than we are at the moment.”

Dr Rankmore said there was no doctor who worked exclusively for Gunnedah Hospital. GPs work in three private practices and an average day in Gunnedah would see about 250 appointment on a weekday.

Some of those doctors also work as visiting medical officers at the hospital.

“GPs cover 24 hours at a time, looking after everything that comes in the door 7am to 7am,” Dr Rankmore said.

He said the emergency roster was now down to just four doctors, who were called on to work 48-72 hours a week on top of work at their practices, and there were just not enough of them to go around.

Mrs O’Brien said Gunnedah Health Service, like most health services in rural communities, relied on the support of local GPs to provide emergency care.

“With the departure of two local GPs in recent months, Gunnedah Hospital is working with the local general practice clinics to continue to provide the best emergency care for patients admitted to the ED,” she said.

“Our hospital is equipped to respond with appropriate medical treatment to life threatening emergencies as they occur.

“For minor or less serious emergencies our nurses provide an excellent standard of emergency care, treating patients themselves when appropriate and referring to the local GP practices when needed.”

Mrs O’Brien said the hospital also used Telehealth video-conferencing when necessary and consulted with medical and emergency staff at Tamworth Hospital.

“Our community will continue to receive responsive care when in need of emergency treatment,” she said.

“To ensure the most urgent cases are treated appropriately, we would encourage our community members to utilise the local GP clinics for non-emergency conditions.”

Dr Rankmore also said it was important to use the emergency department “appropriately”.

“Chest pain, broken bones, lacerations, and bad infections are all perfectly good reasons to go to emergency,” he said.

“Illness in the very young or elderly should be reviewed promptly.

“Dressing changes, mild coughs and colds, and symptoms present for weeks are better managed in general practice.”

He said patients could help by being thankful for the services that were available.

“Nothing recharges the batteries of tired staff like an appreciative thank you,” Dr Rankmore said.

“Appreciation improves work satisfaction which in turn improves staff retention. Things may not be perfect but the staff is good-willed, appropriately trained and often working long hard hours.

“I am very thankful to our nursing staff that is low in number yet extremely dedicated. They work not just as nurses but also cleaners, clerks, and public relations officers.”