Necessity breeds innovation: GPs help prevent an emergency department closure

Article

Partanen, Riitta L., O'Brien, Maxine L. and Eley, Diann S.. 2009. "Necessity breeds innovation: GPs help prevent an emergency department closure." Australian Health Review. 33 (3), pp. 467-471. https://doi.org/10.1071/AH090467
Article Title

Necessity breeds innovation: GPs help prevent an emergency department closure

ERA Journal ID13431
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsPartanen, Riitta L. (Author), O'Brien, Maxine L. (Author) and Eley, Diann S. (Author)
Journal TitleAustralian Health Review
Journal Citation33 (3), pp. 467-471
Number of Pages5
Year2009
PublisherCSIRO Publishing
Place of PublicationMelbourne, Australia
ISSN0156-5788
1449-8944
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1071/AH090467
Web Address (URL)http://www.publish.csiro.au/?act=view_file&file_id=AH090467.pdf
Abstract

In January 2006 the Maryborough Base Hospital in Queensland faced imminent closure of its emergency department (ED) due to a shortage of senior medical staff. At the same time patient confidence in Queensland Health was low. During
consultation forums, the community had made it clear that their priority was to maintain emergency services in Maryborough. In search of a solution, the Fraser Coast District Health Service asked Maryborough general practitioners to work in the Maryborough Hospital ED and/or in the internal medicine ward as Visiting Medical Officers. While this represented a solution to the problem, there
was much to be considered before such a plan could be put into place.

Keywordsrural hospitals; hospital management; communication; hospital staffing
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020440706. Health policy
420306. Health care administration
420319. Primary health care
Byline AffiliationsUniversity of Queensland
Centre for Rural and Remote Area Health
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
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