A delegation of councillors and community members from Narrabri Shire are today at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, collecting signatures for a petition to save Wee Waa Hospital from closure.
The group, led by Narrabri Shire mayor Darrell Tiemens and deputy mayor Brett Dickinson, yesterday built on the 3000-plus signatures already received.
The push continues today from 8am, with Narrabri Shire councillor Ethan Towns and concerned members of the Wee Waa community collecting signatures on the corner of Peel and Fitzroy Streets.
The Save the Wee Waa Hospital petition needs 10,000 signatures to be debated in NSW State Parliament.
Concerned citizens also have the option to sign the petition online at Save Wee Waa Hospital as well as print and distribute copies throughout communities.
Signed copies can be returned to the Wee Waa Newsagency.
The Wee Waa Hospital Working Group also encourages emails to NSW Minister for Health, Ryan Park at keira@parliament.nsw.gov.au
“Explain to him how this is affecting you and why the towns around Wee Waa are frustrated with years of having a substandard hospital. Also ask him to investigate Hunter New England Health and their poor treatment of our local area,” the group said.
The group also asks community members to email Hunter New England Local Health District chief executive Tracey McCosker at tracey.mccosker@health.nsw.gov.au.
“Tell her how important the Wee Waa Hospital is to Wee Waa and the towns of our region. Every day in delay is a potential life lost or illnesses made worse.”
Signatures are being collected at the Tamworth Country Music Festival for a petition to save Wee Waa Hospital from closure.
The Wee Waa Hospital has 10 wards and 18 beds, and is unacceptably understaffed.
There is an unused palliative care ward with state-of-the-art equipment, and surgery and maternity services have been removed.
The hospital is also without a resident doctor.
If the hospital closes, as feared, locals from Wee Waa and nearby communities seeking medical attention will need to travel to Narrabri, about 50 kilometres away.
“We believe Wee Waa Hospital has the only emergency department in Australia that closes at 5.30pm,” Cr Tiemens said.
The hospital is relied upon by residents from nearby villages and communities including Rowena, Pilliga, Cuttabri, Burren Junction, Merah North and Spring Plains.
“The local community has poured its time, effort, and resources into fundraising for the hospital over many decades, so they rightly feel this is their hospital, a community asset, and not just a facility owned by the State,” Cr Tiemens said.
Save Wee Waa Hospital petition
When: Saturday, January 25
Time: From 8am
Where: Corner of Peel and Fitzroy Streets, Tamworth
Petition can also be signed online at: Save Wee Waa Hospital
