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The fight for a hospital and the fear of an out-of-hours heart attack The fight for a hospital and the fear of an out-of-hours heart attack
(4 months later)
Residents of Bulahdelah, on the New South Wales mid-north coast, have been fighting the closure of their hospital emergency department for the past year, most recently taking their grievances to the state government at a community cabinet meeting in Taree.Residents of Bulahdelah, on the New South Wales mid-north coast, have been fighting the closure of their hospital emergency department for the past year, most recently taking their grievances to the state government at a community cabinet meeting in Taree.
Home to about 1,200 people, Bulahdelah is three hours' drive from Sydney, and for decades has run its own hospital with a two-bed emergency department, servicing a catchment of 14,000 people.Home to about 1,200 people, Bulahdelah is three hours' drive from Sydney, and for decades has run its own hospital with a two-bed emergency department, servicing a catchment of 14,000 people.
But for the last 20 months, the town has been without a full-time doctor and without around-the-clock emergency care. The sole GP – who also acts as the hospital's visiting medical officer (VMO) and after-hours responder – has been on extended sick leave.But for the last 20 months, the town has been without a full-time doctor and without around-the-clock emergency care. The sole GP – who also acts as the hospital's visiting medical officer (VMO) and after-hours responder – has been on extended sick leave.
In the interim, two visiting GPs from other localities work part-time to offer around four-and-a-half days a week of consultation.In the interim, two visiting GPs from other localities work part-time to offer around four-and-a-half days a week of consultation.
The situation has left residents anxious about what happens of a medical emergency occurs outside of opening hours.The situation has left residents anxious about what happens of a medical emergency occurs outside of opening hours.
Hunter New England Health – which looks after the medical needs of Bulahdelah – has current plans to convert the hospital into a Health One medical clinic, offering a range of community services and specialist healthcare – without a two-bed emergency department.Hunter New England Health – which looks after the medical needs of Bulahdelah – has current plans to convert the hospital into a Health One medical clinic, offering a range of community services and specialist healthcare – without a two-bed emergency department.
Susan Heyman, acting director of primary and community networks for Hunter New England Health, said the department was focusing on the need for community-based care and prevention.Susan Heyman, acting director of primary and community networks for Hunter New England Health, said the department was focusing on the need for community-based care and prevention.
“We do not believe there is a need to reinstate the hospital’s two-bed 24-hour emergency department, which has not been in place for over 18 months,” she said.“We do not believe there is a need to reinstate the hospital’s two-bed 24-hour emergency department, which has not been in place for over 18 months,” she said.
But Kevin Carter, the vice-president of the Great Lakes nursing home and one of the organisers of the protest in Taree, said there had been three incidents in the past week with elderly residents having health scares in the early hours.But Kevin Carter, the vice-president of the Great Lakes nursing home and one of the organisers of the protest in Taree, said there had been three incidents in the past week with elderly residents having health scares in the early hours.
"We've got about 40% elderly population and they're all absolutely scared – and I am too – that most things that happen with heart attacks and strokes and the like are in that early morning," he said."We've got about 40% elderly population and they're all absolutely scared – and I am too – that most things that happen with heart attacks and strokes and the like are in that early morning," he said.
"We are Australian citizens who pay taxes, and just because we choose to fill up the rest of Australia that's not an urban area, surely we have a natural justice right to have emergency access to medical services. Even if our town doesn't look remote, our situation is remote.""We are Australian citizens who pay taxes, and just because we choose to fill up the rest of Australia that's not an urban area, surely we have a natural justice right to have emergency access to medical services. Even if our town doesn't look remote, our situation is remote."
Residents are also concerned about the knock-on effects for Bulahdelah's economy.Residents are also concerned about the knock-on effects for Bulahdelah's economy.
"Once the hospital goes – it's a major employer of the town – people will have to move away to find work," says resident Anne-Marie Barry, who has lived in Bulahdelah for 27 years."Once the hospital goes – it's a major employer of the town – people will have to move away to find work," says resident Anne-Marie Barry, who has lived in Bulahdelah for 27 years.
"With people moving away to find work they take away their families. In taking their families kids go from schools. With kids going from schools teachers lose their jobs. Everybody moves and the town eventually dies. The hospital is the lifeblood of our community.""With people moving away to find work they take away their families. In taking their families kids go from schools. With kids going from schools teachers lose their jobs. Everybody moves and the town eventually dies. The hospital is the lifeblood of our community."
A doctor has come forward offering their services as GP and VMO. As far as the residents are concerned this solves all the problems, but Hunter New England Health is continuing with its Health One plans.A doctor has come forward offering their services as GP and VMO. As far as the residents are concerned this solves all the problems, but Hunter New England Health is continuing with its Health One plans.
“We believe that one GP providing 24/7 on-call services is not a sustainable solution and rather, we are looking to provide a broader range of health services to the community,” said Heyman.“We believe that one GP providing 24/7 on-call services is not a sustainable solution and rather, we are looking to provide a broader range of health services to the community,” said Heyman.
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