Hunter New England Health (HNEH) were challenged on their commitment to the community in regards to the $60 million Inverell District Hospital redevelopment last Wednesday.
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Local health advocate Bob Bensley indicated a lack of trust in HNEH in the public forum of the Inverell Council meeting, where he presented a letter sent to chief executive Michael DiRienzo.
In it, Mr Bensley outlined a list of concerns about the facility, including the provision of 24 hour CT Scanning facilities, ensuring less transfers to other hospitals for minor problems, increased operations carried out locally and the ability of trainee doctors to attend operations in the new theatres.
He told the council that the community could not afford “to risk a repeat of some of the traumas experienced in dealing with Hunter New England Health since March 29, 2016”. While enthusiastic about progress towards a new hospital, he said the town was waiting confirmation that the facility would contain all the necessary “bells and whistles” for a thriving community.
Mayor Paul Harmon echoed Mr Bensley’s lack of confidence in HNEH, which he described as “a big secret hole” where information goes in, but rarely comes out.
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“I think it was only by chance that the (2016) plans were discovered with the fact that there was a downgrade by stealth,” he said, indicating that he would seek answers.
“We need to be ever vigilant,” he said.
HNEH executive director of regional and rural health services Susan Heyman said the 2016 draft Clinical Services Plan had already been discussed in various forums, and more current data was now informing the planning.
“The current and future needs of the community were carefully considered during the redevelopment’s planning and design process,” she said.
She said HNEH were in discussions with the current provider over CT services, and that Inverell Diagnostic Imaging currently provides CT scanning during business hours.
“Some patients requiring a higher level of care are transferred to other hospitals in the District, where, as part of their treatment they may undergo a CT scan,” she said.
Ms Heyman confirmed that the redevelopment includes a new operating theatre and refurbishment of the existing theatre. She said medical officers undertaking GP training currently assist in the theatres, and will continue to do so.
“The Inverell community can look forward to expanded acute and community health care services when the Inverell Hospital redevelopment is complete,” Ms Heyman said.
“These include a new emergency department; inpatient unit; medical imaging department; operating theatre; day surgery unit and increased renal capacity.”