Health Minister Michael Ferguson has announced plans to recruit a second neurologist at Launceston General Hospital.
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This follows the resignation of the only full-time neurologist in the North and North-West Dr Kurien Koshy.
Allegations have surfaced that Dr Koshy’s cries for help were ignored by the state government, including requests to increase space in the hospital to expand services and increased efforts to recruit staff.
Labour’s Shadow Minister for Health Rebecca White said Dr Koshy’s ignored pleas for support, leading to his resignation, were a concerning indication of the “big breakdown between clinicians and the government”.
Mr Ferguson said the allegations he had been ignored were incorrect.
Tasmanian Health Service had been asked to speak with Dr Koshy to see if he could be convinced to stay but to no avail, he said.
“The Tasmanian Health Service will ensure that not only will patient’s interests be protected by ensuring that we have locum cover so the patients are not left in the lurch, also the THS will be recruiting for,” Mr Ferguson said.
“While it is also difficult to recruit neurologists, we’ll be recruiting to get the maximum possible workforce for Tasmania in the North, and that does potentially involve two.
“I don’t want to get hopes up, it’s difficult to recruit neurologists but we will recruit up to two because what we’re interested in with the additional budget that goes ready on 1 July is we want to provide an even better service to the Tasmanian public.”
He understood Dr Koshy made the decision to move interstate to further his career, Mr Ferguson said.