Eurobodalla Hospital petition handed over as residents call for end to $200m ‘confusion’

Long-suffering residents want answers about their new $200m regional hospital after scathing details were revealed about current services during a recent inquiry into rural health.

South coast residents hope a petition containing thousands of names will ensure a planned $200 million regional hospital will meet their needs after scathing details were revealed during a recent NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into rural health.

Residents Fitzroy and Mylene Boulting are behind a petition which has so far collected 3453 signatures requesting the new hospital provide Level 4 care not Level 3.

Three years since the community’s first petition, “confusion” still remains around what services will be provided, they said.

Mr Boulting said there was a “desperate need for proper healthcare services in the Eurobodalla”, especially in the areas of oncology, paediatrics and neonatal emergency care.

Michael Holland (left) says residents have until December to push for a Level 4 hospital commitment. Picture: Georgie Rowley

He said services, including mental health are crucial in a region “hit mercilessly by bushfires and the series of crises that have subsequently followed one on top of the other”.

With a state by-election on the horizon after the resignation of Bega state Liberal MP Andrew Constance after almost 20 years in the job, and a federal election next year, Mrs Boulting said she hoped the issue would not be forgotten.

She said she was concerned the MP now has “more important fish to fry”, with news he will challenge Gilmore Labor MP Fiona Phillips for her federal seat next year.

Bingie resident Cathie Hurst handed a copy of the petition to Ms Phillips on Wednesday, alongside Moruya resident Kerri Riches placed one in the hands of NSW Opposition spokesman for treasurery Ryan Park.

Bingie resident Cathie Hurst is calling for a Level 4 hospital in Moruya. Picture: Facebook

Last month Ms Hurst told the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into rural health about her experience travelling to Sydney for cancer services that were unavailable locally.

She said travelling long distances for crucial healthcare was “traumatic”, and the new hospital should include chemotherapy and radiation services which are currently lacking in the Eurobodalla.

“Travelling meant that I had to be prepared for whether I was going to vomit on a plane, have diarrhoea attacks or anything, which is highly embarrassing and concerning,” she told the inquiry.

“You get shaky just thinking about can you get on that bus for that long or the train or whatever it was you were taking.

“The difference between that and actually having a hospital or a facility in your region where you can drive yourself, have your 15-minute radiation treatment and come home — it would make all the difference to people.”

Advocate for a Level 4 hospital and Moruya obstetrician, Dr Michael Holland, said the final business plan for the new hospital would be submitted by the NSW government in December.

“Nice timing. Just before the silly season when the pollies will be starting to pop the sparkling shiraz and tuck into the Christmas ham,” he said.

“Just before our population triples and again overwhelms our health services.

“There is still time to voice your protest.”

Bega Liberal state MP Andrew Constance after announcing his resignation in October. Picture: Martin Rainer Helmreich

In August, Mr Constance announced a $300,000 “one-stop-shop HealthOne” community healthcare service planned for Batemans Bay, which will ”help compliment” the regional hospital.

“I want to reassure the Batemans Bay community that they will get a brand new health care facility that provides additional healthcare services to complement the new Eurobodalla Hospital,” he said.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said “the planning will involve the community every step of the way to ensure the local healthcare needs are met now and into the future”.

NSW Southern Local Health District CEO Margaret Bennett said the community was “fortunate” the new facilities would be built in ”coming years”.

“We are in the privileged position of being able to plan the new Eurobodalla Hospital and HealthOne community healthcare service facility at the same time, ensuring the best care and optimal access for the whole Eurobodalla region,” she said.

Gilmore federal Labor MP Fiona Phillips in Moruya on Wednesday.

NSW Nurses and Midwives Association acting general secretary Judith Kiejda said a transparent consultation process with staff and the Batemans Bay, Moruya and Eurobodalla communities is critical to ensuring their needs are met with the new hospital.

“The closure of two public hospitals and merger of these health services into the one new site is always going to generate a lot of valid questions and queries from staff, patients and the communities who rely on the service,” she said.

“We cannot have a repeat of the debacle that occurred with the redeveloped South East Regional Hospital over at Bega, which was exacerbated by a lack of information being provided to hospital staff and the community.

“Leaving staff and the community in the dark until they’re ready to turn the first sod of soil is no way to treat the people of this region.

“The community and staff need to have a full and comprehensive understanding of what is being planned every step of the way.”

The Southern NSW Local Health District has been contacted for further comment.