A SPECIALIST pushing for long-term funding of an additional Tamworth operating theater, and an emergency physician fighting for fairer outcomes for young doctors in the bush will both front a health inquiry hearing in Gunnedah tomorrow.
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The Gunnedah hearing of the Inquiry Into Health Outcomes and Access to Health and Hospital Services in Rural, Regional and Remote NSW will begin on Wednesday.
The hearing will take place at the Smithurst Theatre on Conadilly Street, Gunnedah, from 9.15am to 12.15pm.
The inquiry will hear from numerous speakers from council, community groups and local health facilities including Gunnedah mayor Jamie Chaffey and general manager Eric Goth; Gunnedah Community Roundtable founding member Kate McGrath; Gunnedah Early Childhood Network Chair Rebecca Dridan; Gunnedah Early Childhood Network's Rebecca Ryan; Tamworth Medical Staff Council Chair Dr David Scott; and five private citizens.
Gunnedah was selected as a tour location after an overwhelming number of New England locals made submissions to the inquiry detailing their personal struggles with a healthcare system under "catastrophic pressure".
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The town's GP shortage has not only put enormous pressure on residents but "crippled" existing staff struggling to keep up with high demand.
Tamworth doctor David Scott will front the committee to fight for an additional funded operating theater at Tamworth hospital, after detailing to the inquiry there is currently no available capacity in the five existing operating theatres to accommodate any new specialists.
There are eight operating theatre rooms, with three remaining unused due to lack of funding, he said.
"It is unacceptable to have such a major deficiency in a large and growing regional referral hospital for this reason," Dr Scott said.
"The lack of access to procedures in all specialties in regional NSW is well described, and this inequity is even more exaggerated 'west of the divide'.
"Fewer procedures, if any, are being performed in small rural hospitals."
More than 700 people have made submissions to the inquiry, which sits in Taree later on Wednesday afternoon.
The hearing will also be streamed live online, which can be accessed by clicking here.
Caitlin Reid
Caitlin Reid is a journalist at the Northern Daily Leader, focussing on a range of topics including Tamworth Regional Council, education, property and entertainment. To get in touch, email caitlin.reid@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Caitlin Reid is a journalist at the Northern Daily Leader, focussing on a range of topics including Tamworth Regional Council, education, property and entertainment. To get in touch, email caitlin.reid@austcommunitymedia.com.au
