Context:
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Not a third world country
We are not living in a third world country. Why would the ambulance be directed to take a patient to Gulgong MPS instead of Mudgee knowing there was no doctor available in Gulgong.
As for the reason there is no doctor in regional areas why are Doctors not like teachers and directed to regional areas for their first 2 years of practice, problem solved.
I might add, I am Dawn Trevitt's sister-in-law and was there with her personally throughout the trauma of this day. It is a day I will never forget and don't want this to happen to any other family in another small regional area.
- Nancy Montgomery
Inequitable services
From 2017 I appealed to both our local MPs, Health Ministers and the Chief Executive Western NSW LHD on many occasions to address the inequitable support and delivery of health services in Coolah because it is their job to ensure the adequate provision of these services for our rural communities. At that time they had the opportunity to "harness all the health resources available". Nothing happened and unfortunately, like Gulgong, the grim outcome for the Coolah community has now been realised despite substantial taxpayer investment.
It is known that staffing and operational matters are the remit of the Western NSW Local Health District and yet the LHD is never held to account for their failures.
Rural communities are tired of hearing that the management of the LHD has been spoken to and that they have a "desire" to work towards the best possible outcome. Tired of hearing that it needs to be sorted out because it's not good enough. Tired of promises to support improved health care. Tired of promises of funding to look at new models of healthcare delivery. Funding pours out but appears to be gobbled up by bureaucrats. Enough of the empty words and waste of health funding. It is well past time to put in some grass roots action for positive change that results in efficient delivery of care. It is certainly time for NSW Health and the Western NSW LHD to be made accountable for their reckless waste of taxpayer funds over many years.
- Charmaine Cook
Waiting time
I am disappointed with waiting time when you have three doctors. Not only now but over the years.
- Wendy Berry, Gulgong
Promises
PM Howard promised more Australian-trained doctors would be online by now. What happened? Foreign doctors rob third world countries of their resource and are inefficient. Time to offer some hecs relief for five-year contracts at least.
- Kath Scadding, Gilgandra