Solution to Patong Hospital doctor shortage in sight

PATONG, PHUKET: Starting in April, Patong Hospital will have have more doctors and other medical staff working – enough to serve patients 24 hours day.

The plan was confirmed by the provincial Chief Doctor, Pongsawas Ratanasang, who insisted that the doctor shortage at the state-run facility had been tackled.

The short-term solution is to have four doctors on duty: Hospital director Dr Taveesak Netwongse, a doctor from Bhudha Shinnaratch Hospital who will be there for one month starting February 15, plus two interns from Vachira Phuket Hospital, he said.

For the long term solution, the Ministry of Public Health has circulated letters for interested doctors and medical personnel across the country to see if they are interested in working at the 60-bed hospital.

Thus far, three doctors – along with some dentists and pharmacists – have expressed interest, he said.

The staffing problems at the hospital took a turn for the worst last year.

After doctors and other staff began to resign, the remaining staff were left to pick up the slack. By September the walkout was complete, except for that of director Dr Taveesak – whose resignation letter was not accepted by then MoPH permanent secretary Dr Prat Boonyawongvirot.

— NBT