Dr Liu continues to operate a general practice in Emmaville and Ashford, but his Visiting Medical Officer status was suspended in May with Hunter New England Health (HNEH) citing concerns regarding his clinical practice.

Local resident Ellie Seagrave – who applauded HNEH’s appointment of Dr Liu at the end of 2008 in her role on the Vegetable Creek Hospital Auxiliary after more than a year without a permanent doctor – is now seeking answers to the dilemma in which the community again finds itself. 

“The problem we are having is with the management of the Vegetable Creek Hospital and MPS, as well as the Hunter New England Health, (and) the confidentiality that ends up providing security for people that have perpetrated an injustice, and leaving a valued employee – namely Dr J Liu – without the same support that they provide to their other employees,” she said in an open letter.

Mrs Seagrave believes that an incident involving an elderly patient with medical complications who presented at the hospital with a burn to her hand and resisted relocation to Glen Innes Hospital for treatment was the impetus for the chain of events that resulted in Dr Liu’s suspension.

HNEH representatives Dr Peter Finlayson and Tablelands Cluster general manager Wendy Mulligan fronted a town meeting on the suspension in July, with Dr Finlayson saying at the time that the independent investigation was not as a result of complaints from patients but rather internally instigated, and related to concerns over patient safety.

In her letter Mrs Seagrave cites a number of medical incidents in past months that may have been averted or alleviated if Dr Liu had been on duty, and expresses her concern with the time lag and poor use of resources when patients have to be transported to other health facilities. Furthermore she said she and another community member had lodged complaints against hospital administration staff and have not heard any reply apart from confirmation of the receipt of their complaints.

In its response to Mrs Seagrave’s letter, HNEH said while it was unable to comment on specific cases detailed by Mrs Seagrave due to patient confidentiality, the investigation into Dr Liu is approaching its conclusion.

“I appreciate the concern of the Emmaville community, however our priority is to ensure we have followed due process and conducted a thorough and fair investigation,” Tablelands Cluster acting general manager Cathryn Jones said.

“We have taken this issue very seriously and want to assure the community that the process has not been delayed. Investigations such as this take a considerable amount of time.

“We are nearing the completion of the process and it is expected to be finalised soon.”

Ms Jones encouraged patients to continue to attend the emergency department at Vegetable Creek MPS. If patients require urgent care they will be transferred by ambulance to Glen Innes Hospital Emergency Department. Other-wise they will be treated by ED nursing staff and referred to GP practices in Glen Innes.

“While the investigation is underway Hunter New England Local Health District has a responsibility to ensure that our patients are treated safely in the closest hospital possible,” Ms Jones said.

“This may mean patients are transferred to facilities such as Armidale or Glen Innes, or to larger, more specialised hospitals depending on their medical needs.”