Calvary and Care 24-7 join forces to re-establish weekend emergency care to southern Tasmania.
After more than two years of being closed on weekends due to staff shortages, Calvary Health Care’s private emergency department at Lenah Valley Hospital in Hobart’s northwest will return to 24/7 operations from today.
A new partnership with Care 24-7, provider of specialist-led private hospital emergency departments, has made the move possible, with staff, a new patient management system and some upgrades to the ED’s triage area coming with the deal.
Calvary regional CEO for Tasmania, Melissa Evans, said the ED staff were excited to resume seven-day operations.
“Our partnership with Care 24-7 ensures we have clinically appropriate care available around the clock, seven days a week, which is a great win for the local community,” Ms Evans said.
“In addition to the medical staff appointments, the introduction of Care 24-7 has seen the implementation of a new patient management system to support the emergency department’s operations, and some upgrades to the triage area to improve the overall patient experience, as well as modernise the workplace.
“The extended hours of our ED will relieve overall pressure on the public hospital, and the doctor rosters will assist in delivering a more efficient department, giving ambulance service providers confidence they can bring patients to Calvary and be supported,” Ms Evans said.
Calvary and Care 24-7 have had a partnership in South Australia since 2021.
“Care 24-7 is very much looking forward to supporting Calvary Lenah Valley Hospital’s emergency team, led by Dr Chris Gavaghan,” said Care 24-7’s managing director Dr Sharad Pandit.
“We are confident that together, we can provide efficient, clinically excellent 24/7 emergency care to the people of southern Tasmania.”