Zirkler running Bellingen hospital | Coffs Coast News | Local News in Coffs Coast

THE Bellingen Hospital is now being remotely run from Macksville.

The North Coast Area Health Service has confirmed that Ms Jenny Zirkler who is currently the Acting Executive officer and Director of Nursing for the Macksville District and Bellinger River District hospitals will continue in that role following the retirement of Vince Carroll.

Mr Carroll was formerly the executive officer and director of the Bellingen River District Hospital and Dorrigo Multi-Purpose Service (MPS).

News of Mr Carroll’s sudden ‘retirement’ came as a surprise late yesterday with staff at the Bellinger River District Hospital referring inquiries to the North Coast Area Health Service headquarters in Lismore.

Members of the Bellingen Hospital Action Group were also shocked when told of Mr Carroll’s departure from his position.

In a statement the Area Health Service acknowledged the service and expertise Mr Carroll has shown over the past seven years.

The service said Mr Carroll had left the position in order to take a break and spend more time with his family.

The general manager of the Coffs Clarence Network, Ms Margaret Bennett, said the change in the management structure increased the opportunity for the Macksville District and Bellinger River District Hospitals (BRDH) to work more closely together.

“The existing operational partnership that exists between BRDH and Dorrigo MPS will continue with the Dorrigo MPS nurse manager, Lynn Forsyth, reporting directly to the general manager, Coffs Clarence Network,” Ms Bennett said.

• HEALTHCARE providers throughout the state have been told to improve suicide prevention services, after a report found an alarming lack of follow-up treatment for people who had attempted to take their own life.

Mental health group SANE surveyed 285 people diagnosed with mental illness who had attempted suicide or self-harm.

Almost one in three said they had not been referred for on-going mental health treatment, the survey found.

More than half had not been offered psychological therapy, and 80 per cent failed to receive any sort of suicidal crisis plan.