“I’ve been mislead by Hunter New England Health, as has the community.” The comment of member for Myall Lakes, Stephen Bromhead signals the beginning of a political push to get answers from chief executive Michael diRienzo about the findings of the Manning Hospital Acute Trauma Report.

The report, by Professor Zsolt Balogh, the head of emergency and trauma for Hunter New England Local Health District exposes significant deficiencies in the resourcing and capacity of Manning Hospital. 

“After reading the Balogh report I can say I’m as shocked as anyone else by the report and recommendations. Professor Balogh is imminently qualified and independent. I personally know him and hold him in the highest regard. I very much respect his opinions,” Mr Bromhead said.

Mr Bromhead has sought an urgent meeting with Mr diRienzo and sent a copy of the report to NSW health minister, Jillian Skinner.

“I’m going to stand up for the community and for the hospital staff. All of the staff, doctors, nurses and allied health at Manning Hospital do a fantastic job.”

Manning Great Lakes Community Health Action Group is supportive of Mr Bromhead’s decision to act and its chair, Alan Tickle says “community concern about Manning Hospital and membership of this group is growing and growing and growing.”

It now numbers more than 400 members and representatives of the group’s management committee will meet with Mr Bromhead on February 8. The meeting will be attended by Helen Halpin, Carmel Bartlett, Trish and Eddie Wood and Peter Johanson.

A brief summary of the issues identified in the report include:

Emergency Department: The medical staffing of the emergency department has been problematic. The standard of experience and performance is somewhat variable on any given day.

Intensive Care: Staff raised the issue that they do not have sufficient funding to support patients.

Operating Theatres: Waiting times for trauma patients are long and the only way surgeons can accommodate is to cancel elective cases.

Orthopaedic Service: Described as a “weak point in the system” by staff and “not up to standard” and “not as functional as general surgical, intensive care or operating theatre services.” The department had “only one accredited registrar and staff felt this did not compare favourably to Port Macquarie Base Hospital.”