The hospital is feeling the shortfall in at least three departments, and Tamworth currently does not have a single permanent ear, nose and throat surgeon in either the private or public sectors. 

Dr Allan Forrest operates a private fly-in fly-out service three days a month, but Tamworth hospital acting general manager Wayne McMahon said all public ENT patients were being referred to John Hunter hospital in Newcastle. 

“We recognise that this is a long trip, particularly for people living in the New England and North West, which is why Tamworth hospital is doing everything within its power to attract a suitably qualified specialist to start providing services as soon as possible,” Mr McMahon said. 

Locals are also travelling to Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, Sydney and Brisbane to dodge long waiting lists for consultations and surgery. 

Recently retired ear, nose and throat surgeon Malcolm Robilliard told The Leader the need for ENT services would require more than two specialists, and three would be ideal to reach out to surrounding regions. 

Local patients have also lamented long waits for orthopaedic appointments. 

Tamworth hospital has made inroads on the shortage, having recently recruited an additional UK orthopaedic surgeon who began working this month, bringing the total to three full-time practising surgeons for clinical services. 

Mr McMahon said “most”, but not all, patients were able to have surgery in Tamworth. 

He said the hospital engaged locum orthopaedic surgeons to assist with acute and on-call services.

“Tamworth hospital is working closely with its orthopaedic surgeons to provide surgery to patients within the clinically appropriate timeframe,” Mr McMahon said. 

“We acknowledge this is an ongoing challenge, and all patients are assessed based on their clinical priority.”

The shortages are compounded by this month’s revelations from The Leader that paediatric patients are being forced to wait on a “lottery” phone call due to a dire lack of doctors. 

The hospital has only one full-time paediatrician, but with part-time doctors, it has an equivalent of two. 

Hunter New England Health has recruited an additional full-time paediatrician who is expected to join the hospital in July, but ideally five would be employed to cater to Tamworth’s demand.