Apology to patient and review of service at Pambula Hospital

A statement from the Local Health District to say it is reviewing the models of care for Pambula Hospital as “the current model does not meet the needs of the community” follows the front page story in the Merimbula News Weekly (November 16) about Margaret Kirkwood’s treatment at the walk in treatment and assessment clinic.

Mrs Kirkwood, 82, of Eden, was told the clinic could not help her when she arrived with two black eyes and cuts to her face after falling.

In a statement the Southern NSW Local Health District chief executive Janet Compton has unreservedly apologised to Margaret Kirkwood for the standard of care provided to her when she presented at Pambula Hospital on Monday, October 31.

The statement from the Local Health District continued: “Ms Compton is aware that the acting general manager of the Bega Valley Health Service has contacted Mrs Kirkwood and apologised personally.

“The incident has been investigated and staff counselled accordingly. On presentation to Pambula District Hospital Mrs Kirkwood should have been triaged, her wound cleaned and her facial injury assessed by the nursing staff.

“Following assessment of the injury, Mrs Kirkwood should have been referred to a GP or treated at the clinic with the aid of a South East Regional Hospital-based doctor via telehealth facilities.

“Southern NSW Local Health District is working closely with Bega Valley Health Service staff and the community to review the models of care for Pambula as the current model does not meet the needs of the community,” the Local Health District added.