A Queensland Health communiqué released yesterday has indicated the need for a cardiac department in Mackay. The report has brought to the fore lacunae in the care meted out to patients who have suffered heart attacks or hip replacements at Mackay Base Hospital.
Mackay Base Hospital was found to meet the expectations to an extent in 22 of the 26 categories but portrayed some worrying results compared to other hospitals in the state. A hospital spokesperson was of the opinion that heart attack patients ended up staying longer at the hospital simply because they needed to access cardiology services at the Townsville General Hospital. The services were enabled depending upon availability of beds.The report has urged the state to review all areas of Queensland and assess whether Mackay is equipped with the staff, infrastructure, resources to facilitate the functioning of additional services, such as cardiology. A request for a new hospital in the area has been seconded by most doctors in the area.
Source-Medindia
SAV
