BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
CHIEF Executive Officer for the National Referral Hospital says the hospital will continue to provide tertiary in-patient health services for all referred patients but not meet the cost of return sea traveling.
NRH’s CEO Mr Steve Aumanu said NRH will continue to provide support fo tertiary in-patients health services for referred patients but will no longer be responsible to meet the cost of their return sea travel.
He said each provincial health office is responsible for their patients.
Aumanu said MHMS and NRH will continue to maintain responsibility for emergency provincial hospitals referrals to the NRH
That means patients in need of emergency medical care may need to be flown into Honiara for treatment at the NRH which may include charter flights, he said.
He also said the decision to transfer patients to the NRH must be consulted and approved by PS for MHMS with endorsement from the NRH medical superintendent.
In terms of referral to tertiary care – NRH to overseas hospital, Aumanu said they will continue to refer patients to overseas hospital because not all clinical services can be provided in the Solomon Islands.
Aumanu said it is necessary to refer patients to overseas hospital for tertiary level medical services
This policy direction and process will come into effect from May 21, 2018, he adds.
He called for citizens’ cooperation in implementing the return sea fares for referred patients.
