NSW Health inquiry into Lismore, Northern Rivers healthcare delivered

From 300km round trips to lifesaving healthcare to a desert of medical practitioners in Northern Rivers communities, a new report reveals a regional healthcare system “in crisis”.

A lack of medical staff and 300km round trips for life saving Northern Rivers healthcare have been highlighted in a scathing report handed to the NSW government.

The report into the health outcomes and access to services in rural, regional and remote NSW presented 44 recommendations to fix the healthcare system, which it found to be “in crisis” compared to city counterparts.

The inquiry, which was tabled in parliament on May 5, began in September 2020 and included visits to Lismore on June 17.

At the time, residents pleaded for more doctors and staff, especially in Old Bonalbo where the village lacked a full-time medical officer.

Coraki needs a GP George Thompson said at the Lismore hearings on June 17, 2021. Picture: Alison Paterson

Coraki Health Reference Group member George Thompson drew attention to a “chronic shortage” of health professionals, and highlighted Bonalbo, Glen Innes, and Tenterfield among others as towns that do not have or are experiencing a shortage of health practitioners.

The inquiry also heard evidence from Tenterfield patients who had to travel to Lismore, 158km away, to access satellite dialysis units.

This would equate to a more than 300km round trip three times a week for patients.

Such struggles were compounded by a lack of public transport.

Ballina Cancer Advocacy Network Branch President Maureen Fletcher told the inquiry that if residents are unable to drive and live in an area that is not serviced by public transport, you are “wholly reliant” on the generosity of friends and family.

Ballina Breast Cancer Support Group Maureen Fletcher (left) and Sandra Clifford. Photo Graham Broadhead

In handing down the findings, Chair Greg Donnelly said the crisis of regional health is a state that “should not be seen as acceptable”.

“We heard stories of emergency departments with no doctors; of patients being looked after by cooks and cleaners; of excessive wait times for treatment; and of misdiagnoses and medical errors,” he said.

“This evidence is by no means a reflection on the NSW Health staff working tirelessly in challenging circumstances; rather it is an indictment of the system that has allowed this situation to develop.”

Mr Donnelley said there was a “culture of fear” stopping healthcare workers from speaking out.

Among the recommendations, the committee urged NSW Health, local health districts and Transport NSW to work together to provide more frequent and appropriately timed affordable transport options.

Chair of the inquiry and member of the Labour Party, Greg Donnelly is seen during a public hearing into South West Sydney Hospitals at Parliament House in Sydney. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Bianca De Marchi

Recommendations towards expedited a nursing/midwifery review and increasing staff numbers was highlighted, as was better support for the existing workforce.

A 10-year rural and remote medical and health workforce recruitment strategy and retention strategy was also pushed to strengthen the remote health services.

To ensure momentum continues, the committee recommended a further inquiry to report the progress in two year’s time.

The NSW Government will have until November 7 to respond to the report.