NSW health inquiry hears of patients 'stranded' outside northern hospitals, staff shortages
ABCA state parliamentary inquiry has heard some rural residents in northern New South Wales are being left "stranded" outside hospitals late at night with no way of getting home. Key points: A health inquiry has heard that some residents are reluctant to seek emergency medical care for fear of being unable to get home Another witness called for more funding for cancer care coordination to stop patients "suffering needlessly" The inquiry has also heard about the difficulties arising from the region's reliance on south-east Queensland for specialist treatment The NSW Upper House inquiry is examining the challenges people face in seeking medical care in remote, rural and regional areas. A NSW senate inquiry has heard that weekday births are preferable in Gunnedah, where the understaffed hospital resembles a "pub without beer". Mrs Bird said Bonalbo had an X-ray machine but no staff to operate it and only one radiographer for two hours a fortnight, so residents would need to "schedule their accidents for that day".
History of this topic
New residents moving to regional areas urged to advocate for better health resources
ABCRegional health is in a critical condition but can it be revived?
ABCNSW Health apologises for standard of care in regional and rural areas as inquiry wraps
ABCNSW cancer patients are abandoning treatment over cost, inquiry told
ABCMaternity services the 'canary in the coalmine' for regional NSW healthcare
ABCNSW inquiry into regional health hears hospitals routinely running out of essential supplies
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