COMMENTS ON THE ED AT BATLOW MPS
Independent Member for Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr, has called on the government and Murrumbidgee Local Health District to ensure the changes to services at Batlow Multipurpose Centre are strictly temporary.
“The community expects and deserves the return of a 24-hour emergency department as quickly as possible,” Dr McGirr said.
“While I can appreciate extraordinary circumstances make it necessary to reduce the opening hours, this cannot be allowed to go on for any extended period of time.
“I emphasised this to both Minister for Health, Brad Hazzard, and Minister for Regional Health, Bronnie Taylor, when I was made aware of the planned reduction in services.
“Having been given assurances that these measures are both necessary and strictly temporary, I expect services will be back to normal as quickly as possible. The Batlow community expects nothing less and I will be holding the government and the MLHD to the commitment they have made.
"The change in service is extremely disappointing. I understand the pressure that the Covid situation has brought to staffing levels with many staff on leave.
"However, this comes on top of issues with chronic staff shortages and really highlights the need for a separate department of rural health.”