Beds booked out for Margaret River hospitals

The Shire of Augusta-Margaret River’s local emergency committee has heard concerns about bed capacity and urgent recruitment of nurses at Margaret River Hospital. Following recent Times reports outlining the pressure staff and contracted doctors face in the wake of booming patient numbers, the Local Emergency Management Committee noted active recruitment was underway to secure more nurses to prepare for surge capacity and any worsening conditions in the case of a COVID-19 outbreak. WA Country Health Service delegate Marie Tweedie said medical workers had undergone specialist training for operating personal protection gear as they continued to face hard limits on bed capacity. “Margaret River had over 200 more presentations to emergency department than at the same time last year,” the minutes noted. “Augusta had 30 more than this time last year.” Earlier this year, local doctors rang the alarm on the lack of bed capacity, which was reflected in the LEMAC minutes. “Bed capacity at Margaret River and Augusta Hospitals remain full due to lack of available beds in nursing homes putting pressure on the ability to admit acute patients,” the meeting heard. “Nursing recruitment is underway for both sites to maintain activity and surge presentations.” However, the region’s housing shortage was adding difficulty to recruitment efforts. Concerns around workloads for volunteer ambulance officers was also reflected in the May meeting’s minutes with reports from St John Ambulance officers. Margaret River St John delegate Luke Jenner said ambulance transfers had tripled compared to last year “which is reflective of how busy the hospitals currently are at the moment”. Augusta delegate Brendan Jordan confirmed the lack of beds in Augusta and Margaret River added to volunteers’ workload. “Things have eased off job-wise since last meeting, however, Marie Tweedie’s report states that both Augusta and Margaret River hospitals are mostly full, which is true,” Mr Jordan said in the minutes. “This is mainly due to permanent long-term care, with patients awaiting placement elsewhere. This is turn takes up trauma beds, leading to lots of transfers to Busselton and Bunbury, which takes us out of the area.” Volunteers were frequently engaged in five-hour round trips to medical services in Bunbury. In June, St John Ambulance head office declined to provide statistics for ambulance transfers, including data in response to claims some volunteers were required to drive patients as far as Perth. The LEMAC meeting also heard vital personal protection equipment supplies for the region had seen a boost following previous delays. Department of Communities delegate Roma Boucher said 18 PPE kits were stored in Busselton ready for the City of Busselton, Augusta-Margaret River Shire and Shire of Nannup in the event of an emergency.