Emergency ward open '24-7' after funds boost
Posted
The operators of Portland's public hospital say its emergency ward will be able to operate around-the-clock from next year.
The Liberal Member for the South West Coast, Denis Napthine, says people with non-life-threatening injuries are being turned away after hours and on weekends because no doctors are on duty.
The chief executive officer of Portland District Health, John O'Neill, says the hospital has received more State Government funding to employ additional doctors.
He says there will be four more doctors starting at the emergency ward in January.
"The level of our service will improve, the competence and qualifications will dramatically improve and I think it will provide a far more robust service, so I will repeat again, we are open for business 24-7," he said.
Search for news
ABC News Online takes a look at the big stories from 2008.
