April 27, 2016
Kingaroy Hospital is becoming “a sought-after place of employment” because of its reputation for providing quality health care, Darling Downs Hospital and Health Board chairman Mike Horan said on Wednesday.
Board members met with Kingaroy doctors at an informal get-together to discuss the provision of health services in the region.
The meeting included doctors from the hospital as well as doctors working in private GP clinics.
“Today’s get together demonstrates how we are working together to provide the best health care for the residents of the South Burnett,” Mr Horan said.
Kingaroy Hospital employs 15 doctors, as well as a further five doctors who regularly visit the South Burnett to provide specialist services.
“The Kingaroy Hospital and its doctors have a reputation for providing high quality, appropriate and effective health care to the people of the South Burnett,” Mr Horan said.
“So much so, that the hospital is becoming a sought-after place of employment for new and experienced doctors who want to come to the region.
“The hospital is the State’s busiest non-specialist birthing service and the community is benefitting significantly by the reintroduction of general surgical services.
“Under the leadership of medical superintendent, Dr Raymond Lewandowski, the hospital is consistently meeting and exceeding patient’s expectations for care.
“Dr Lewandowski has also led a medical education focus at the hospital, inspiring the next generation of health care workers to learn more and forge their careers in a rural setting.”
Mr Horan said a paediatrics clinic had also started at the hospital this month, providing specialised medical care for local children.
“Previously, children requiring specialised paediatric services were treated a private, bulk-billed clinic in Kingaroy,” Mr Horan said.
“This service now however has been taken on by the hospital to provide a free, public service to the local children and their families.”
The clinic has been developed in consultation with the Toowoomba Hospital with two doctors visiting the hospital regularly.
“A rural generalist doctor with advanced skills in paediatrics conducts clinics each week and a paediatrician visits monthly, providing telehealth consultants on alternative fortnights,” Mr Horan said.
“Children are accessing the clinics for a range of medical issues, including behavioural management and chronic conditions.”
The Darling Downs Hospital and Health Board held its regular monthly meeting while it was in Kingaroy.
Every second month this meeting is held in one of the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service’s rural facilities.
“As always, the staff in Kingaroy are working hard to provide the very best health care for local people,” Mr Horan said.
“The hospital is continuing to perform well with no patients waiting longer than is clinically recommend for elective surgeries. Additionally more surgeries are being performed than ever before.
“The emergency department is also performing well with patients being seen within recommended timeframes.”
