Locums are filling the gaps, one shift at a time.
The last two senior cardiologists working at North Canberra Hospital worked their final shifts yesterday, after resigning on 9 July.
According to the Canberra Times, one other senior cardiologist has been suspended, another has taken leave, and one vacancy remains unfilled, leaving the hospital without any permanent staff specialist cardiologists.
A spokesperson for the hospital told the CT that locums have been contracted to fill the gaps.
“Locums provide the same level of on call cover in regard to days and hours as staff specialists,” the spokesperson was quoted as saying.
“We will continue to monitor wait times closely.”
Outpatient cardiology clinics offering blood pressure monitoring, heart health testing and follow-ups would not be closed, according to the hospital.
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“Over the past two weeks, some specialised cardiology clinics were cancelled and rescheduled due to sick leave,” the CT quoted the spokesperson as saying. “Patients will be seen in clinics at either North Canberra Hospital or Canberra Hospital depending on their requirements.”
In March 2023, a group of private practice cardiologists said the suspension of four senior doctors from Canberra Hospital a year earlier had led to an “unacceptable and dangerous deterioration” in cardiac care.
Four doctors were suspended from working at Canberra Hospital in April 2022 over bullying and harassment allegations. One of them, Dr Muayad Alasady, was reinstated in 2024.