DRINK UP: Andrew Buyteweg, of Michelago, keeps his fluids up. Festivalgoers are prone to dehydration and heat-related illness. Photo: Robert Chappel 240113RCF02
THE Tamworth Country Music Festival is a busy time for all, but with it attracting up to 50,000 visitors Tamworth’s emergency department staff and St John Ambulance volunteers can find themselves run off their feet.
Tamworth hospital emergency department nurse manager Richard Leighton said this year, as with others, there had been an increase in demand.
He said the biggest day so far was Monday, when more than 150 people presented for treatment.
A typical day at the emergency department has about 115 presentations.
“As expected, we have seen a rise in less serious presentations during the festival, including limb injuries and eye and ear complaints,” Mr Leighton said.
Extra staff are on duty throughout the festival and a “fast-track” team of nurses and doctors is on hand to see people with minor conditions through quickly.
Peter Cameron, the St John Ambulance event commander for the festival, said the 40 volunteers on duty for the event had treated 100 patients as of Thursday morning.
This figure was very similar to last year, he said, but was slightly higher.
Mr Cameron said patients had had a variety of complaints, but the most common were cuts and abrasions, as well as heat-related illness.
He advised visitors to stay safe, wear sunscreen, bring water and rest often if they wanted to avoid finding themselves being treated by the volunteers.