More doctors on the way for North Shore Hospital

21 August 2015

More doctors on the way for North Shore Hospital

Waitemata DHB (District Health Board) is staffing four new medical teams at North Shore Hospital to care for acutely unwell patients receiving treatment in the Assessment and Diagnostic Unit (ADU).

Waitemata DHB Chief Executive Dr Dale Bramley says within the next 12 months the DHB is looking to recruit almost ten full-time-equivalent doctor roles to staff four senior doctor-led teams for the Assessment and Diagnostic Unit.

“Introducing these new teams will equip us to treat significantly more people within a faster timeframe, improving clinical outcomes and the experience of those using our services.”

“Increasing our medical workforce is central to our commitment to invest and further develop the clinical services at our largest hospital, which serves residents from all over our district, says Dr Bramley.

Waitemata DHB Head of Division Medicine Dr Jonathan Christiansen says the staffing increase is a key part of the DHB’s approach to provide high quality, accessible hospital treatment for our population.

“The expansion in medical staff recognises projected future population growth in the Waitemata district and puts the right people to provide the best care in the right place at the right time.

“The new staffing model will increase the number of senior and junior medical staff in the Assessment and Diagnostic Unit on evenings and weekends to meet demand during these increasingly busy periods.

“It will ensure senior clinical input and timely review of patients within the Assessment and Diagnostic Unit, which will in turn have a positive flow-on effect for our medical wards.”

Following the completion of a formal consultation process, the expansion in general medical staff will be activated in stages over the next 12 months.

“We are investing in systems and medical staff to meet the needs of acutely unwell patients and support a more efficient flow of patients throughout the hospital, enabling us to achieve the best possible health outcomes, faster access and enhanced patient experience, from admission to discharge,” says Dr Christiansen.

The investment in new medical staff at North Shore Hospital follows an announcement that the DHB will almost double the number of medical teams at Waitakere Hospital, with the introduction of eight new medical specialists supported by a significantly expanded pool of junior doctors. The
staffing increase is also expected to have a positive effect at North Shore Hospital, by reducing the number of medical patients transferring from Waitakere.

The medical staffing increase continues the Board’s focus on growth in services and facilities, including the following major developments:
· He Puna Waiora – new inpatient mental health unit on the North Shore Hospital site (completed April 2015)
· The opening of a refurbished patient discharge lounge at North Shore Hospital (completed July 2015)
· Waitakere Hospital Emergency Department expansion (opening late 2016)
· New MRI and CT scanners at North Shore Hospital in 2014/15, with a new CT scanner earmarked for Waitakere Hospital in 2016.

-ENDS-

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