Jerilderie Multipurpose Service (MPS) is experiencing these challenges, where despite extensive recruitment efforts the service has a number of nursing vacancies it hasn't been able to fill.
To ensure ongoing safe patient care, Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) has made the difficult decision to temporarily reduce some services at Jerilderie MPS from Monday, 24 July 2023.
We acknowledge this is disappointing for the local community and apologise for the inconvenience this may cause.
Under these temporary arrangements as recruitment efforts continue, patients requiring emergency care will be referred to Finley Hospital.
Patients from Jerilderie requiring urgent emergency care should call 000 for an ambulance.
We are working closely with NSW Ambulance to maintain 24/7 access to emergency care and facilitate rapid transfers to the closest specialist care centre when required.
If an illness or injury is not life-threatening, we encourage people to visit their GP or call Healthdirect Australia on 1800 022 222, which is a 24-hour telephone health advice line staffed by registered nurses to provide fast, expert advice on any health issue and what to do next.
The temporary changes will support our dedicated staff and ensure the continuation of safe, high-quality healthcare services for all patients while nursing recruitment continues. MLHD recognises and is deeply thankful for the outstanding commitment and tireless efforts of our nurses and midwives.
While we continue to actively recruit to nursing vacancies, we’re also working hard to redeploy nursing staff from other areas and engage nursing agencies to cover any gaps in the rosters, with the ultimate goal of increasing these services back to their usual state.
We are also working with our public and private health partners in surrounding areas, and NSW Ambulance, to ensure the community continues to access the health services it needs.
The arrangements will be reviewed every month, and the community will be updated.
We thank the local community for their understanding and our staff for their dedication during this challenging time.
