Health Services Union delegate Chris Branson said paramedics attended the hospital at 1.30am on Thursday, August 18, but information passed to them by NSW Ambulance was there was “No Doctor Available” at SERH overnight. 

A spokeswoman for the Southern NSW Local Health District said SERH “experienced some staffing issues in relation to medical cover in the emergency department”.  

“A locum who had committed to cover for 10 days was urgently called away due to a family illness. 

“An anaesthetist stayed in the hospital overnight to attend to any category 1 patients that may have presented to the emergency department and specialists were on call to deal with any other urgent cases,” the spokeswoman said.

The News Weekly understands the anaesthetist had already completed a day shift, was provided with sleeping facilities and had agreed to see category 1 (the most serious category) patients only.

This is borne out by comments on social media in the following days by people who had sought medical services, but had been told they were unlikely to see anyone. 

Meanwhile, on Sunday, August 14, two local ambulances with patients on board were initially prevented from entering the emergency department, with staff stating “they were too busy to accept any more patients”, Mr Branson claimed.

“Both ambulance crews were advised to keep going with their patients to Moruya hospital.”

Mr Branson said the patients were admitted after a delay, but the SNSWLHD spokeswoman denied the incident took place.

“At no time has South East Regional Hospital turned ambulances away.

“SERH does not operate under the bypass protocol. Hospital management were not contacted by NSW Ambulance on August 14 to escalate the emergency department.”

Fairfax has sought clarification from NSW Ambulance regarding the incident and is awaiting a response.

“SERH staff are doing a valiant job in caring for what appear to be overwhelming patient numbers given the beds and staff available," Mr Branson said. 

“What concerns and even frightens local paramedics is how will SERH cope with a hugely increased population during the holiday season.”