Dear Editor,
‘LOUD AND CLEAR’:
The recent weekend saw another 300 signatures added to the thousands already collected for the Community’s Petition for provision of desperately needed Local Radiotherapy Services in our region.
In every way the community’s united response completely supports the stand taken years ago by its much- respected Community Healthcare Advocate-in Chief, Dr Michael Holland MP, who has appealed from early days to an intransigently deaf Queanbeyan-based executive for such services to be delivered to our grossly neglected region.
As we all know, Districts with lesser populations than ours have executive managements who have been delighted to apply for dedicated funding, whilst three years later the $4M set aside specifically in our name to kick start the process have remained untouched simply because SDNSWLHD refused to apply for it! This is nothing to do with ‘misfortune’ and cannot be excused as mere ‘carelessness’.
Given the matter involves the serious issue of cancer, could one possibly conclude otherwise? Are we therefore to understand that in the eyes of Health executive management the community is there for the sole purpose of being of service to the administrative convenience of SNSWLHD rather than the other way around?
As many signatories have said with blunt candour, it is clear that our region is not a priority, and its residents continue to be viewed as second-class citizens. Meanwhile NSW Health’s SNSWLHD executive continues to be adamant, alongside projected reduced bed capacity in various categories like Paediatrics and Oncology, that no radiotherapy capacity is going to be planned into the New Eurobodalla Regional Hospital despite recent revelations that the population figures used to determine our services by them are at least 9 YEARS
OUT!
ABS stats show Eurobodalla has now reached the population level projected by SNSWLHD to be attained in 2031! How could one possibly get it so wrong, refuse to recalibrate planning and yet somehow still expect to retain the respect and goodwill of our Community, their principal stakeholders?
Busy managing upwards, the reality of Queanbeyan’s SNSWLHD executive, much like the First World War high command, is clearly another entirely separate universe removed from the appalling conditions out in the trenches for its beleaguered but heroic medical frontline and their long-suffering patients.
The message from the Community to SNSWLHD executive management and NSW Health could not be spelled out more clearly! The question is, are those who should be doing so listening?
Thank you again, the committees of Moruya’s Saturday Markets, Marine Rescue’s Batemans Bay Sunday Markets, and Rotary Narooma’s Sunday markets: Your helpful generosity adds yet another mark of distinction of service to your community demonstrating your care for its health and welfare. Our community is fortunate and blessed to have you in our midst.
Fitzroy & Mylène Boulting
Head Petitioners, Local Radiotherapy Services
One New L4 Eurobodalla Hospital Advocates Group
