NSW Greens MP and health spokesperson Lee Rhiannon, soon to visit the Bellingen Shire, is calling on the State and Federal governments to boost funding and resources to the Bellingen Hospital and better involve the community in decisions affecting the hospital’s future.
Ms Rhiannon, lead senate candidate for the 2010 federal election, will visit Bellingen on Saturday 21 November 2009 to meet with residents, Greens members and supporters. She is holding an afternoon public forum to discuss health and other issues.
“Local hospitals are the beating heart of any community and the Bellinger River District Hospital needs life support to ensure it can deliver the services residents need,” Ms Rhiannon said.
“There are 22 small hospitals between Tweed Heads and Port Macquarie. These are all under threat as a result of proposed cuts by the North Coast Area Health Service.
“I will be working with residents and local Greens groups to try and arrest the cuts and ensure the full funding of essential hospital services.
“The Rees government should be listening more closely to the genuine concerns local residents hold for the future of this essential service.
“People living in Bellingen, Dorrigo and Urunga are understandably fearful that the Bellingen hospital is being run down, with a view to closure.
“The hospital is suffering from neglect, with staff cutbacks and funding shortfalls creating real threats to public health, especially for accident, emergency and maternity patients.
“Residents in the Bellingen Shire, many of whom are geographically isolated, do not want to travel to Coffs Harbour or Port Macquarie to access hospital services.
“This week’s heavy rains illustrate the risks of being required to leave the Shire to access health services, with inadequate public roads which can be cut during flooding and limited public transport.
“Bellingen’s population is growing and the larger hospitals in Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie are already suffering funding shortfalls and a high demand for services.
“The safety of patients should be the key priority for the Rees and Rudd governments, but the running down of the Bellingen hospital makes achieving this extremely difficult,” Ms Rhiannon said.
For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568