Huon Valley Council, the Tasmanian Health Service and Huon Regional Care have agreed to a multi-year contract to provide rural hospital beds at Dover Medical Centre.
Supported by Huon Regional Care nursing staff, Huon Valley Medical doctors are on 24-hour call to support inpatients in three rural health beds.
Minister for Health, Jacquie Petrusma, said these hospital beds are very important for improving access to healthcare for the residents of Dover and its surrounds.
“These three hospital beds at Dover Medical Centre have been fully operational during a trial period, and I’m thrilled to formalise this service for the local community,” Minister Petrusma said.
“Rural hospital beds support patients and their families locally, and are an important complement to major urban hospitals.”
Huon Valley Mayor Sally Doyle said access to medical services is a key concern in the region. “Council is proud of the collaborative approach taken by the organisations and staff involved in securing this vital service. Additionally, the clinical opportunities available to doctors delivering the service will help Council to promote our medical practice, and to attract and retain doctors for the benefit of the whole community”.
Photo caption: Huon Regional Care CEO David Brennan, with Huon Valley Mayor Sally Doyle and Minister for Health Jacquie Petrusma