Hospital services in Tumut will be dramatically reduced as a result of the only practicing anaesthetist in the shire moving to Gundagai. Obstetrics and emergency surgery services at the hospital are expected to suffer most and patients needing to access these services will most likely be referred to Wagga Base Hospital.

Health Service Manager Mary Smit at the Tumut District Hospital said there will be a reduction for a time in the services the hospital can provide while an anaesthetist is not in town.

However, Mrs Smit said the health community of Tumut is actively seeking a new anaesthetist.

Dr Paul Beiboer, who until yesterday was Tumut's emergency anaesthetist, will only be available for scheduled surgery until the end of the year.

While obstetrics and emergency surgery services are expected to be the areas most affected, the hospital may also be required to limit the type of maternity patients it can take.

Women expecting births over the coming months are encouraged to seek advice from their GP obstetrician.

Obstetricians Dr Yates and Dr Wilson will also be available to guide decisions on whether a child can be delivered in Tumut.

Mrs Smit said that the anaesthetist will be available some days and if a delivery does need to be made at Wagga Base Hospital, mothers will be able to transfer back to Tumut Hospital for postnatal care almost immediately following the birth of the baby.

The issue of an anaesthetist has highlighted the need for more doctors in Tumut.

According to Janette Watson from the Tumut Family Medical Centre over the last three years the number of equivalent full-time doctors in Tumut has almost halved.

Ms Watson said she is very concerned about attracting more doctors to Tumut and said their practice has been actively seeking doctors for two years without success.

"Tumut will be in big trouble if we can't get doctors, I can't stress that enough," said Ms Watson.

Tumut Shire Council general manager Chris Adams said that Council was supporting the search for doctors by providing promotional material about the town and helping to facilitate the recruitment in whatever way they could.

Mrs Smit said Tumut was not unique in its search for more doctors.

"This is a nationwide problem it is happening everywhere," said Mrs Smit.

Maria Haider from Tumut Medical Practice said they had recently employed a young doctor who was planning to study anaesthetics.

Dr Fred Latif arrived in Tumut in March and according to Mrs Haider loves the town and is planning to stay.

If Dr Latif did commit to anaesthetics training, it would take one year full time or two years part time to complete.

With a committee currently working on developing plans for a new hospital and health service provision in Tumut, it is an ideal time to include incentives for prospective medical staff.

There is the possibility for a community action group being formed to develop strategies that will attract qualified staff in the area of health to this region.

Tumut Shire is a growth area and along with the proposed second stage development of the Visy Pulp and Paper Mill, it is considered vital a suitably qualified GP anaesthetist be sourced to take up a position at one of the local medical practises.

"Tumut Shire residents can assist the process of attracting staff to the area by talking about the benefits of living in this beautiful region to any potential suitably qualified health professional" said Mrs Smit.

For further information about either the community action group, or proposed changes to services at Tumut Hospital, people are asked to contact Health Service Manager Mary Smit at the Tumut Hospital.

Patients with concerns should speak to their doctors and be assured their health and well being will always be the main priority.

Tumut & Adelong Times

Friday, June 3, 2005