Stealth Killing Rural Health

Independent Member for Murray Helen Dalton is concerned NSW is down grading rural health services by stealth, severely impacting health outcomes right across the electorate.

 Travelling the electorate, Mrs Dalton said the number one issue is always lack of health services in the bush.

 “Whether it’s no community health nurse available in  Mathoura or Moulamein, staffing shortages at Balranald or no permanent doctors at Leeton, health is in a mess and the community are suffering,” Mrs Dalton said.

 Lack of services are forcing patients to travel 100kms for basic care including dressing changes, while hospitals are so short staffed, nurses are regularly working double or extra shifts to pick up the shortfall.

 “Balranald MPS currently has 13 full time equivalent nursing positions available, creating an unsustainable workload and stress for those nurses trying to fill the gaps, while their current roster has 103 shifts unfilled out of 250.

 “We know staffing is a major concern right across the electorate and staff are alarmed about their workload and fear for the future of their hospital.”

 Mrs Dalton said Balranald is just one example.

 She is calling for a new model of care across Murray including a demerge from Murrumbidgee Local Health District and the inclusion of Balranald hospital.

 “People have to travel such large geographical distances for care which is why it is so important to protect and retain the hospitals and services we have in the bush, we can’t keep losing them.”

 Mrs Dalton said  rural health is at crisis and it is time NSW Health really started to listen to struggling  rural communities and address solutions.

 “We have had the rural health inquiry which resulted in 44 recommendations and if government is serious about making a change, we have to start implementing them as a matter of urgency.”