Gunnedah's 'near catastrophic' health system to be put under inquiry microscope with parliamentary committee to visit town

Mayor Jamie Chaffey welcomed the news, telling the Leader the shortage of doctors meant Gunnedah's health system was "not far off catastrophic".

"If we were to lose even one of the four doctors we've got remaining, we potentially could lose our maternity services which would be catastrophic for our community," he said

The town's doctor shortage is so severe, even Cr Chaffey does not have a GP, he revealed to the Leader.

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"I'm only a representation of the community,' he said.

"As we put forward in our submission, in fact about two years Gunnedah had the best in the Hunter New England region, the best doctor to resident ratio, about 1 to 1000. Now we're the worst in 1 to 3000.

"So I'm not alone in being a resident of Gunnedah who doesn't have a doctor. I'm more in the majority than I am in the minority. "

The upper house committee will hold a total of eight hearings, two of them at Parliament House in Sydney, but also in Deniliquin, Cobar, Wellington, Dubbo and Lismore.

Gunnedah's hearing will take place on June 17.

Over 700 people from across NSW have made submissions to the Health outcomes and access to health and hospital services in rural, regional and remote New South Wales inquiry.

Dozens of residents from the Tamworth and Gunnedah region shared personal health horror stories with the inquiry, including National Farmers' Federation President Fiona Simson, who slammed the system as "in decline".

Shadow Minister for Health Ryan Park said the visit would be "an important opportunity for rural and regional communities to share their experience and stories and inform changes to healthcare across the state".

Cr Chaffey said he wanted to make sure council, medical professionals and ordinary members of the community had an opportunity to share their stories with the committee.

He also wants them to have a look at Gunnedah's ageing hospital and other health infrastructure, if they have the time.

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"It's just a really good outcome that they'll be able to come into our community, they'll be able to see from themselves and hear from passionate people about what it means to their livelihood.

"I'll also be wanting to make it clear that it's one of the huge deterrents that we have in attracting people into our community and a major frustration for council."

The committee may consider whether there is a need for additional rural and regional hearing dates as the inquiry progresses.

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