Bellingen Hospital and Dorrigo Health Campus rate highly in patient survey Coffs Coast Coffs Coast News by News Of The Area - Modern Media - June 20, 2021 Dorrigo Health Campus. NINETY NINE percent of patients admitted to the smaller public hospitals across the Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) rate their overall care as either ‘very good’ or ‘good’. The Bureau of Health Information’s Rural Hospital Adult Admitted Patient Survey 2019-20, released June 8, also shows 97 per cent of patients at Bellinger River District Hospital and Dorrigo Health Campus said they were treated with dignity and respect. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au Ninety five percent of patients said they ‘always’ had confidence and trust in their health professionals and received the right amount of information about their condition. Telehealth services, which use technology to assist in the provision of healthcare, have been rated as ‘very good’ or ‘good’ by eight out of ten patients of the region’s smaller hospitals. MNCLHD Chief Executive Stewart Dowrick told News Of The Area that the results were testament to the dedication of staff, particularly amid the added challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. “A visit to hospital can be a concerning time for patients and their families and our staff are recognised for their compassion, professionalism and for always putting their patients first,” said Stewart. “Our small hospitals are part of a network of services that provide care and treatment for people in their own communities, which is very important in rural and regional areas. “Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, we’ve modified the way we care for our communities, which has included increased use of telehealth services. “It’s pleasing to see that our patients have embraced the changes and continue to rate their care so highly.” Between mid-2012 and mid-2020 the Local Health District increased its workforce by an additional 867 full-time equivalent staff – an increase of 31.8 percent including 119 more doctors, 391 more nurses and midwives, and 56 more allied health staff. The 2020-21 budget for MNCLHD is $706 million, ($33 million vs 2019-20 annualised budget). The record 2020-21 $29.3 billion NSW Health budget includes $8.3 billion for Local Health Districts in rural and regional areas. By Andrea FERRARI Bellinger River District Hospital.
