Neurology services at the Launceston General Hospital are being significantly increased with the historic successful appointment of a second neurologist.
Dr Matt Lee-Archer will move back to Tasmania from the mainland, taking up a full-time permanent post at the LGH. He is particularly passionate about stroke medicine, including acute treatment, rehabilitation and prevention, but also has special interests in movement disorders and headaches.
Dr Lee-Archer will be a wonderful addition to our hospital in the New Year, filling a longstanding specialist service gap for what is an extremely tough recruiting subspecialty.
This is the second appointment of a full-time neurologist for the LGH, after Dr Aaron De Souza accepted a position earlier this year.
Dr De Souza has made the move to Tasmania from the UK and commenced his appointment with the THS this week.
As part of College requirements he is undergoing a period of supervision of up to 12 months at the Royal Hobart Hospital before he commences at the LGH, and has been joined by his family who have settled in Launceston.
The recruitment of two neurologists at the LGH comes after decades of neurology drought in the North, having between zero and one practitioner.
It means access to services for North and North-West patients will be massively improved as these neurologists will be able to function as a unit, rather than sole practitioners.
It also follows the recruitment of two endocrinologists at the LGH, after a decade-long drought for full-time specialists in this important area.
We're winning in the attraction of much needed specialties coming to Launceston.
These appointments all represent a significant boost to health services at the LGH, providing a range of vital services.
