January 14, 2013
Kingaroy Hospital staff were run off their feet over the Christmas-New Year break with almost double the number of usual patients seeking treatment.
From Christmas Eve through to New Year’s Day, 622 patients were treated in the Emergency Ward.
On Christmas Eve alone 70 patients were treated.
Usually Kingaroy Hospital would see 350-400 patients during the same time period.
South Burnett Darling Downs Hospital and Health Board members Cr Cheryl Dalton and Mr Terry Fleischfresser acknowledged the hard work of the doctors and nurses who worked over this period to ensure the provision of a quality service.
They will visit Kingaroy Hospital to show the Board’s appreciation to the staff.
“Christmas and New Year is always a busier time at Kingaroy Hospital as many of the General Practices close over this period. We try to roster as many staff as we can to meet the demand,” Director of Medical Services South Burnett Dr Dennis Pashen said.
“The understanding of patients and their families over this period is also appreciated as due to the increased number of people coming to emergency, sometimes it takes a bit longer to see and treat some people.”
[UPDATED: January 15, 2013]
[Photo: Belinda Pennell]
