Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) have released further information on Griffith Base Hospital’s (GBH) Sterilisation Department, saying it’s move to St Vincent’s Private Community Hospital (SVPCHG) is “likely”.
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The information comes after a meeting between with GBH sterilising unit staff, hospital management, MLHD and union representatives last Thursday.
Acting Chief Executive Brett Thompson, while saying a decision was yet to have been made last week, has now said the move to privatise the unit is “likely.”
“While the Sterilising Services Agreement between MLHD and St Vincent’s Private Hospital for GBH is yet to be finalised, it is likely to proceed,” he said.
“The proposed agreement will avoid the duplication of services and support the viability of St Vincent’s Private Community Hospital Griffith.”
In addressing the concerns raised by confidential sources who reported staff were left in the dark and without work to do, he assured the closure of the sterilising unit at GBH last week was part of the trial period.
“To assist the decision-making process, a two-week trial of sterilising services between SVPCHG and GBH commenced this week before full operating theatre capacity resumes for 2018,” he said.
“During this time sterilising unit staff have been carrying out work including managing stock levels in the unit and across the hospital wards.”
Concluding the trial, next week will see full GBH operating theatre activity resuming, with sterilising services being shared between both hospitals.
He also said all five GBH sterilising unit staff have been provided access to new technical positions should the agreement go ahead.
“The staff have been and continue to be offered retraining and redeployment opportunities.”
The GBH redevelopment is progressing, with the next User Group meeting planned for later this month.
The Draft Clinical Services Plan is open for public comment until Friday 16 February, and you can give your feedback here.
Copies of the plan are also available at Griffith City Council, Griffith Library and Griffith Base Hospital and also at Carrathool, Leeton, Hay and Lachlan Shire Councils.
“We encourage all members of the Griffith and district community to provide their feedback,” Mr Thompson said.