The Gazette understands only 10 of 15 beds in the unit can currently be used and there are no after hours admissions permitted anymore due to an ongoing inability to roster more than one psychiatric assessment consultant per shift.

A spokesperson from SWAHS acknowledged last Friday a shortage of doctors resulted in a reduction of patients who can be treated safely in the unit in recent months.

“During this time the mental health service has ensured that all patients who have needed admission to hospital have received the care they need either at Katoomba Hospital or another mental health unit within SWAHS,” they said.

“Katoomba Hospital is in the process of appointing three new medical staff to work in the mental health unit and they are expected to commence work before the end of December.”

A document obtained by the Gazette containing minutes of a September 11 Katoomba Hospital meeting indicates staff recruitment and roster problems are an ongoing issue in the mental health unit and remain unresolved.

According to the minutes the meeting concluded with an assurance that SWAHS was in the process of offering a consultant’s position at the unit to an outside psychiatrist.

The recruitment of three additional staff for the unit would be a desperately needed boost for the state-of-the-art mental health facility.

But continued reductions to service levels at the hospital have led Hospital Equity and Access Lobby (HEAL) spokesperson Janet Mays to call for a public meeting to be held by SWAHS.

“It is time Katoomba Hospital’s management met with the community to discuss what is really happening at the hospital,” Ms Mays said.

“I continue to express frustration and concern about the lack of transparency in terms of service provision there.

“The irony of the closure of five beds in the mental health unit during Mental Health Awareness Week is not lost on the community and my great concern is there is no after hours admissions in the unit — as a community we deserve better.

“On top of this two registered nurses at Katoomba Hospital have been granted voluntary redundancies and this is a truly worrying sign.”

Last month the Gazette reported the recruitment by SWAHS of an additional anaesthetist and nine supporting medical staff at Katoomba Hospital which will help to ensure a consistent level of service could be provided in the maternity unit.

But the end of regular shutdowns of the maternity unit seems far from over, with SWAHS confirming that birthing services were closed for three consecutive days from September 5-7 due to lack of paediatric cover.

“We will be advertising for additional paediatrician positions at Katoomba Hospital,” a SWAHS spokesperson said.