The sheer volume of work at the new Fiona Stanley Hospital may be behind a recent spate of medical staff resignations, the hospital’s chief executive says.
Dr David Russell-Weisz told Fairfax Radio two of the 60 anaesthetic consultants had quit, while another three were reducing their hours.
He also confirmed one consultant doctor had quit the emergency department, while another walked out mid-shift but had now returned to work.
Dr Russell-Weisz said the emergency department was seeing on average of 300 patients a day – far more than anticipated.
“We are extraordinarily busy … and that’s put a lot of strain on staff,” he said.
“We’re seeing an average of 300 patients a day – we’re the busiest emergency department in WA and probably even the country.”
He said the hospital had expected about 250-260 patients a day.
“We’re around about 300 a day, and our biggest day was 350.
“We hope it will settle but we’re obviously ready for patients who come to our ED department.”
Earlier reports suggested doctors were unsure where the extra patients were coming from, but they may represent the unmet need from Perth’s southern suburbs.