NARRABRI Shire Council has expressed disappointment at the lack of progress towards restoring services at Wee Waa Hospital.
This follows a public meeting convened by Member for Barwon Roy Butler with senior representatives from Hunter New England Health and NSW Health on Monday night in Wee Waa.
Despite strong community attendance at a number of meetings and more than 12,000 signatures on a petition calling for the reinstatement of critical services, including 24-hour emergency care, a resident doctor and the full complement of 18 beds, no clear outcomes have been delivered.
Narrabri Shire mayor, Darrell Tiemens, said the community has been waiting far too long for solid commitments and is frustrated by ongoing delays.
“Our community has been advocating for years to see services restored at Wee Waa Hospital, yet we continue to walk away from meetings with little more than words,” Cr Tiemens said.
“The hospital was locked from 5.30pm even as the meeting was being held. That alone shows how urgent this situation is.
“The people of Wee Waa still do not have access to the emergency care they need, and they deserve answers.”
While the community has seen the implementation plan for the hospital following the completion of the Review of the Wee Waa Health Service in May, there is yet to be any delivery of outcomes from the plan.
Narrabri Shire mayor, Darrell Tiemens, said the Wee Waa community has been waiting far too long for solid commitments and is frustrated by ongoing delays.
Mayor Tiemens said the delay is unacceptable.
“We respect that there are challenges in recruiting staff, but the fact remains that Hunter New England Local Health District must take decisive action now,” Cr Tiemens said.
“The community has been patient long enough. We need clear timelines, not more postponements.
“Council calls on Hunter New England Health Local Health District to immediately outline how and when 24-hour emergency care will be restored, when a doctor will be secured, and when the 18 beds will be reinstated.”
Council thanked Roy Butler MP for organising the meeting last night and ensuring members of NSW Health and Hunter New England Health were present to answer questions.
“Council will continue to work alongside the community to ensure Wee Waa receives the hospital services it both needs and deserves. We will not let this issue drop until real action is taken,” Cr Tiemens said.
