Day 27 since closure of the Mersey A&E began.
Hi there, thanks for supporting this petition, we now have over 800 signatures from people who believe we deserve a functioning emergency department and want the Mersey back in action!
It is becoming clear that our government has no intention of providing a plan of action for the reopening of Mersey ED during this pandemic.
In fact after today's press conference I begin to wonder if the Mersey Community Hospital even exists in the mind of our government.
Despite multiple references to NWRH and NWPH as the "two hospitals of the northwest" the Mersey was mentioned only when a journalist asked about the Covid-19 ward incident. Mark Veitch's only response was to refer the question to the MCH management. Again we see any mention of the Mersey swiftly brushed aside.
Ask yourself this: If the government cant be bothered to discuss the Mersey when forced during a press conference what will be their level of discussion and action after this pandemic is over and the spotlight is no longer on them.
We heard discussion today around the stress placed upon paramedics due to the closure of the NW hospitals and the health minister spoke of the massive expenditures proposed to address this.
More ambulances, more helicopters and their staff, interns are coming onboard in a months time to help out and dedicated cleaning staff will be engaged.
Heres a thought: Spend a fraction of this money opening up the Mersey Community Hospital ED. Instead of whizzing patients across the state bring the Mersey ED back online so that patients can be assessed, treated and even admitted, likely bringing a radical reduction in the load upon paramedics.
The government wants us to avoid travel yet make it difficult by their refusal to reopen the Mersey ED.
The health minister today related that a recruitment drive resulted in 400 applications from paramedics interested in helping out. Why not a recruitment drive for the Mersey? I bet their are staff that would be happy to jump on board. Mainland staff could be out of quarantine in 14 days. What about staff coming out of quarantine at Burnie into a hospital with no open wards yet? Perhaps they could come to the Mersey and help out.
Can't get locum doctors? Maybe local GP's could help out. Even if the Mersey ED could only provide a reduced service right now it would take pressure off the ambulance service, and probably cost less than the governments proposals today.
I saw a comment recently around the Mersey being a Covid-19 hospital and I was confused. The Mersey is a Covid-19 hospital in the same way the LGH and RHH are: it has a Covid-19 positive ward. Also some non Covid-19 wards. All upstairs and well seperated from the ED. This is NOT an excuse to keep Mersey ED closed.
Perhaps I am missing something obvious that explains why the government continues to dismiss the Mersey's potential in this pandemic.
If anyone has any thoughts or ideas on this situation that they wish to share please make contact via this email address:
citizenoftasmania@gmail.com
(All correspondence received shall be confidential)
Stay safe and keep the Mersey Spirit alive by sharing this petition far and wide!
Warm regards,
Tasmanian Citizen