Rumours circulating in the local community that locum doctors are no longer working on weekends at Millicent Hospital have been rejected by the health authorities.

The SE Voice put these rumours to the Limestone Coast Local Health Network and received this statement.

“There have been no changes to service provision at the Millicent and District Hospital and Health Service,” said a spokesperson.

“There is continued 24/7 coverage at the hospital, and the doctor is required to be within 30 minutes of the facility at all times.

“From 7pm to 7am, South Australia Virtual Emergency Service (SAVES) is in place for less serious presentations, however, a doctor is available if required.”

The use of locum doctors was raised at the recent annual general meeting of the Millicent Health Advisory Council.

HAC presiding member Dr Kevin McGrath noted that other country hospitals around South Australia like Naracoorte were following Millicent’s example of having locum doctors.

“They return to Millicent on a regular basis and we are very lucky,” Dr McGrath said.

“They are competent and the nurses are happy.

“The locum doctors are costing the health service a lot of money.”

Locum doctors contracted through a staffing agency have staffed the Millicent Hospital on a 24/7 basis since the beginning of 2016.

They oversee the acute wards along with the accident and emergency department.

Doctors from the Medical Clinic Millicent care for the residents of the adjacent 60-bed Sheoak Lodge aged care facility.

The Millicent township has one private medical clinic and the number of its GPs is at a 40-year low.

The Beachport Medical Clinic is closing on December 16 due to the impending departure of two senior doctors.

Both Dr Farhana Akter and Dr Pauline Wachtel hold the coveted Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practice. They are being tendered a public farewell at Bompa’s this Friday.