CONCERNS over lack of community consultation during the preparation of the Clinical Services Plan (CSP) for the $53 million Gunnedah Hospital redevelopment led Gunnedah mayor Jaime Chaffey all the way to Sydney last week.
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Cr Chaffey said health services are at crisis point in the Gunnedah shire, and he addressed the issue with NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard last Friday afternoon.
He said while he was disappointed over the "clearly inadequate" communication process with the community, he left the meeting with an assurance from the minister the process would be improved significantly moving forward.
Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson recently joined Mr Chaffey in the fight to have the CSP released, and said that while it is currently with the NSW Ministry of Health for consideration and approval, there will be more detailed planning once it is endorsed.
At that time, there will be further opportunities for staff, clinicians and community to have input on shaping the redevelopment as the project progresses.
He also said once the draft had been reviewed, the services proposed for the hospital would be released for comment.
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The draft plan identifies the range and type of clinical services, including medical, surgical, maternity and obstetrics, intended to be included in the redevelopment project.
"The Health Minister has stated that he has received assurances from Hunter New England Health that the community will remain informed of the progress and opportunities to be involved in shaping the redevelopment of the hospital," Mr Anderson said.
Cr Chaffey said the "information sessions that Hunter New England Health conducted, and now refer to as consultation, were clearly inadequate" and he hopes there will be genuine consultation going forward, "in stark contrast with what has occurred in the past".
"My discussion with the Health Minister was as a direct result of a mayoral recommendation that was unanimously supported by council last month calling on the NSW Minister for Health to place the draft Clinical Services Plan on public exhibition and to initiate steps for a petition if there was no response from Mr Hazzard's office," he said.
"We have now had that response, and we will see what services are planned to be delivered prior to design work commencing.
"I am committed to campaigning for better health outcomes for our community, and will continue this campaign to ensure both the hospital upgrade and local GP services meet the needs of our existing and future residents."
The project is set to commence prior to March 2023.
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