News
18 February, 2025
Doctor needed, stat!
Kilcoy Hospital’s emergency department has ceased to have doctors on-site after hours and on weekends, with concerns that nurses are undertaking procedures normally performed by doctors.
A statewide shortage of doctors has forced Metro North Health to cut the service and direct resources to busier hospitals.
The Kilcoy emergency department continues to operate 24/7, with arrangements now in place to ensure there is medical coverage using a virtual doctor service, accompanied by on-site nursing staff.
However, according to Somerset Councillor Michael Bishopp, nurses “are being asked to operate outside of their scope of practice.”
“I do not believe that this is an adequate response and believe that more could be done,” he said at Council’s February 12 meeting.
“Nurses are being asked to operate outside of their scope of practice or ask patients to drive to the nearest big hospital and wait for emergency care.
“By looking at the medical workforce and employing a rural generalist doctor under the Medical Superintendent with Rights of Private Practice award system, we could ensure that there was local public hospital leadership, rather than relying of whomever was available after big hospitals have taken met workforce needs.”
Cr Bishop noted that online doctors cannot perform certain procedures, such as suturing.
A spokesperson for Metro North Health, said they are working hard to recruit additional doctors, including GP locums, to “boost the health care workforce at Kilcoy Hospital.”
“We understand the importance of Kilcoy Hospital to its local community,” they said.
“The Kilcoy community can have confidence in the safety and quality of care available at their local hospital.
“The Emergency Centre at Kilcoy Hospital remains open 24 hours a day, and in an emergency, people should call triple zero and follow their advice.”
A spokesperson for the Minister of Health and Ambulance Services office said medical workforce recruitment and retention “remain a critical challenge for rural and remote communities across Queensland.”
“The State Government is committed to exploring initiatives that are fit for purpose, like the Single Employer Model, to ensure we are attracting and retaining the best healthcare workers possible and helping them continue delivering excellent care,” they said.
During a February 10 Kilcoy Progress Alliance meeting, a letter was tabled emphasising why Kilcoy’s after-hours and weekend services are important.
The letter listed why it is essential the town has a “proper emergency service.”
Some of the reasons include the high percentage of elderly residents, several major companies that have significant staff that operate large machinery, Woodford prison prisoners often coming to Kilcoy for treatment, with the Youth Detention Centre soon adding more strain, and many sporting events with injury risks being hosted in the area.
This comes after Council called on the State Government in December to ensure access to a 24-hour on-site doctor at Esk Hospital, noting a lack of service during the Christmas period.
“The Esk Hospital did not have any medical cover for several days over the Christmas holidays, and there was limited telehealth available,” Cr Bishopp said.
“To compound the issue, the Esk general practice could not open due to ill health.
“We have excellent nursing care in Esk, but unfortunately several members of the community had to drive to Ipswich or the Sunshine Coast for care during this period.”
State Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, agreed there is need for a full-time medical staff in Kilcoy.
“The Kilcoy community deserves to have full-time medical officers at their hospital,” she said.
“I am aware of ongoing recruitment efforts to ensure this is achieved.
“Rest assured, having full-time medical officers at Kilcoy Hospital remains a top priority.”
Council is asking for a meeting with each of the Hospital and Health Service Boards, with Cr Bishop emphasising they “will have to continue to advocate for our hospitals to be staffed appropriately.”
