‘We won’t back down’: Community vows to continue fight for more health services

‘We won’t back down’: Community vows to continue fight for more health services

Concerned residents have vowed to keep pressing Hunter New England Health for the provision of additional health services at Narrabri and Wee Waa hospitals.

Residents assembled outside Narrabri Hospital on Wednesday morning for a Courier photograph and television interview regarding the matter.

The gathering follows a meeting held with shire leaders, mayor Darrell Tiemens and deputy mayor Brett Dickinson, and Hunter New England Health in Newcastle on Tuesday.

Cr Tiemens described the meeting as “underwhelming” and that every time a matter was pursued during the conversation, council’s representatives had been “fobbed off”.

Earlier this year, during a community meeting in relation to concerns about proposed changes to pathology services, residents voiced concerns about the provision of services with motions coming from the floor to call on Hunter New England Health to address the matter. Since then, council representatives met with authorities 10 weeks ago and provided a list of demands and then met again this week.

Council’s director of planning and sustainability Donna Ausling was also part of this week’s meeting to discuss ongoing service issues in Narrabri and Wee Waa.

“If we were to describe our meeting in one word, I would say it was underwhelming,” said Cr Tiemens.

“While our hospital pathology lab remains safe, it was disappointing that, despite our efforts over the last few months, there were no additional commitments provided by Hunter New England Health on any of the issues or suggestions we have raised with them.”

Among the issues council is advocating to be addressed are: Increased efforts in recruiting and retaining clinical staff; proper filling of medical shifts including a seven day a week emergency/ anaethetist GP (instead of currently seven days per fortnight); increased obstetric resourcing and services in Narrabri; the development of better relationships and communications with private GP practices to relieve pressure on current providers; better consultation with rural clinicians, the community and its leaders; prioritising the appointment of a permanent hospital services manager; and the introduction, or improvements to, other services such as better oncology services (currently many patients are having to travel to Moree for treatment), dialysis and telestroke.

Cr Tiemens has also called on authorities to commit to having a doctor based at Wee Waa Hospital.

The mayor was quick to point out that the community was grateful for the excellent staff who work at the hospital.

“We are determined to achieve some positive outcomes for our region,” said Cr Tiemens.

“And we will continue to be the voice of our community to Hunter New England Health until we see results.”

Concerned residents shared their own issues with the state of health services, including having to be transported to Moree and Tamworth for emergency matters at times.

“The main thing is to not give up,” one resident said while also acknowledging that the community must keep pressuring the relevant authorities.

Susan Heyman, executive director of operations, said the Hunter New England Local Health District is committed to delivering high-quality, safe and compassionate healthcare to local communities and will continue collaborating with local health committees and key stakeholders across all levels of government to ensure this is achieved.

“On Tuesday 5 November, HNELHD Chief Executive Tracey McCosker and I met with The Hon. Roy Butler MP, Member for Barwon, and Narrabri Mayor Darrell Tiemens to discuss key healthcare challenges facing the Narrabri community,” Ms Heyman said.

“Our district is actively working to resolve the issues discussed, including those related to pathology services, challenges securing medical, nursing and midwifery staff at Narrabri Hospital, and concerns over community consultation on any proposed changes.

“The meeting highlighted several recruitment initiatives, including the NSW government’s Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme, which provides relocation packages of up to $20,000 for the hardest to fill, critical roles, and the district’s successful international campaign to bring registered nurses to our regional hospitals.

“HNELHD regularly reviews our operations to improve access to, and the delivery of, health services. Earlier this year, we made strategic adjustments to the clinical and community health services structure based on staff input.

“One centralised district offers substantial advantages in funding, efficiency and enhanced access to specialised care for our rural and regional communities. Splitting our district would bring significant costs by replicating existing services and would not solve recruitment challenges.

“Our integrated network, supported by the major tertiary hospitals in Newcastle, ensures every hospital in our district has access to specialist services that would be otherwise unavailable, safeguarding high-quality care for all.

“We remain engaged with local stakeholders, including Narrabri Council, to ensure we continue to meet the healthcare needs of our regions.”

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