Health Minister Michael Ferguson has said that the Launceston General Hospital will receive “whatever response is required” to retain its status as a teaching hospital after it was downgraded to an accredited level two training hospital by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
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On Thursday Mr Ferguson said he was “disappointed to see the preliminary report” into the hospital’s downgraded status.
The Tasmanian Health Service said yesterday that they were appealing the downgrading.
“We’re appealing that report, we believe we’re on very strong ground and my advice is there was incorrect information that formed the basis of that report,” Mr Ferguon said.
LGH Medical Staff Association chairman Dr Scott Parkes told Fairfax Media on Wednesday that the downgrade would make the hospital “unattractive” to trainees.
Dr Parkes said the college felt the hospital did not have sufficient staffing in some disciplines for training, particularly endocrinology.
Mr Ferguson today said that he believed a position for an endocrinologist was now being advertised and the government was “committed” to supporting the hospital.
“We have more staff at the LGH, so how could it be in an environment with more staff at the LGH we would see such a thing occur?” he said.
“When we see new and emerging challenges such as training accreditation whatever response is required to maintain the LGH’s status as a teaching hospital will be provided.”
Earlier: LGH training grade lowered
