Some of the Murrumbidgee's hospitals are still relying on telehealth to provide emergency care more than a year after frustrated residents publicly pleaded with health authorities to improve services.
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Snowy Valleys deputy mayor John Larter was among the busloads of residents who rallied outside the Wagga headquarters of the Murrumbidgee Local Health District in October 2019, calling for more doctors for their towns.
Mr Larter, a paramedic, claims some people in Tumut are reluctant to go to the hospital "because they have the perception that the care is not going to be optimum".
Like other smaller hospitals in the Murrumbidgee, Tumut Hospital is staffed by doctors who also provide primary care to the community through general practice.
Country Women's Association Riverina group president Elizabeth Furner is compiling a submission to the upcoming NSW parliamentary inquiry into rural health by asking members what services they can access within a 70-kilometre radius.
"I'd just like to think that people in small communities could have access to the same services as large centres. I know that's probably not possible, but that's what they deserve," Mrs Furner said.
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Tania Baldock, a former Cootamundra registered nurse who took part in last year's rally, believes the town's medical services are "still expecting too much of the local doctors".
"I've got the greatest respect and admiration for them, but I think we're burning them out really," she said.
MLHD sector director of medical services Pankaj Banga agreed it would be good to have more doctors working in the region but said the rural medical workforce shortage was an Australia-wide issue.
"That's what the problem is, a shortage of GPs. People can't get in to see their GPs, they come to the emergency department," Dr Banga said.
Dr Banga, along with MLHD director of medical services Len Bruce and executive director of nursing Karen Cairney, defended the use of telehealth, which they said was used to complement care provided by highly trained nursing staff.
They reassured members of the Murrumbidgee community they could seek help and would receive care at their local health services.
Rural Doctors Association of Australia chief executive officer Peta Rutherford said she was concerned about the short-term staffing of smaller centres in the region, but praised the MLHD for introducing a new training program for 20 rural generalists.
"This is a local initiative that has managed to cut through a lot of government bureaucracy and will really try and put something in place for the future," she said.
Catie McLeod
Catie is a reporter at The Daily Advertiser covering health and Wagga City Council. You can contact her on c.mcleod@dailyadvertiser.com.au or 0475 819 651.
Catie is a reporter at The Daily Advertiser covering health and Wagga City Council. You can contact her on c.mcleod@dailyadvertiser.com.au or 0475 819 651.
