The Doctors at the Kruger Medical Centre have been feeling the pressure, with no Visiting Medical Officer (VMO) present at the Murrumburrah-Harden District Hospital on weekends. Patients who have required the services of a Doctor at the hospital have either been sent home or transferred to hospitals in neighbouring districts, prompting concerns about Murrumburrah-Harden District Hospital’s future as a viable, fully-functioning hospital.

Currently, two doctors are accredited to work as VMOs at the Murrumburrah-Harden District Hospital: Doctors Sazeedul Islam and Ishrat Jahan. In the first two months of this year, only Dr Islam has been able to provide VMO services at the hospital.

According to the Manager of the Kruger Medical Centre, Jennifer Rahman, a VMO was able to cover 95% of the month prior to Dr Jahan going on maternity leave. Afterwards, a Dr Islam was the lone VMO to the hospital and was only able to be present for 70% of the month, about 22 days.

“It has been very difficult,” said Jennifer. “We had an increase in patients, and with Ishrat on maternity leave, it was all too much for Sazeed.

“Because of the immense pressure, this is why this situation has occurred.”

After an influx of 1500 patients in 2014, the Kruger Medical Centre has recruited another Doctor, in addition to Doctor Tahmina Mohsin working part-time, mid-week.

“Doctor Prakash Bandgar has joined us from Western Australia,” said Jennifer. “It normally takes 6-8 months to bring a Doctor to Harden, but with Angus Taylor’s help we were able to get Prakash here in five.”

Dr Bandgar has applied for VMO accreditation to work at the hospital. His VMO status should be approved in 6-8 weeks, but he will then have to apply for a Medicare Number. This means that he will not be able to work as a VMO to Murrumburrah-Harden District Hospital until sometime in mid-June.

“We are going towards 26-27 days per month VMO coverage at the hospital,” said Jennifer.

It is envisaged that Dr Islam, Dr Jahan and Dr Prakash would eventually share the workload at the hospital.

“Our aim is to prevent people needing to go to the hospital, the hospital should be for emergencies,” said Jennifer.

“This is our town, this our hospital. We don’t want it to shut down.”

Although relief may be in sight for patients and staff at the Murrumburrah-Harden District Hospital, it will still be some time yet before the VMO issue is fully settled, and a new work-sharing regime is put in place.