Call for submissions to support Save Wee Waa Hospital campaign

Community members are being urged to share their negative experiences under the local health district and issues with Wee Waa Hospital.

To assist residents with the submission process, writing workshops were held at the Wee Waa library and Wee Waa Local Aboriginal Lands Council recently.

“My bill to split the Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD) was referred to an inquiry in NSW Parliament, meaning anyone who has had a negative experience with this health district can write a submission,” said Mr Butler in his regular newsletter.

“This is the perfect opportunity for the NSW Parliament to hear directly from the community about the issues occurring with HNELHD.

“The Wee Waa Hospital has been of particular importance due to the experience of many in the area around reduced operating hours and the lack of nursing staff and doctors.”

“I want to ensure that all voices are heard, which is why I have successfully sought an extension to the submission period by 21 days (until May 8, 2025).

“My office and I are in regular contact with the Wee Waa Hospital Community Working Party and the Save Our Wee Waa Hospital group to ensure they all have the latest information available.”

Staff from Mr Butler’s office have assisted at the writing submission workshops along with Save Wee Waa Hospital committee members, and council representatives including mayor Darrell Tiemens and Cr Ethan Towns.

Shadow Minister for tourism, gaming, racing, the arts and heritage and Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson and ‘Save Wee Waa Hospital’ committee member Roxanne Whitton.

NSW Nationals leader Dugald Saunders and Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson visited Wee Waa this week and attended the workshop held at the library on Tuesday.

In a media statement released during their visit, the NSW opposition called on the Minns Labor government to make restoring crucial 24-hour services at Wee Waa Hospital a top priority as the situation reaches breaking point.

“The facility is only open during office hours on most days due to chronic staff shortages, forcing anyone who needs emergency care after 5pm to travel 40km away to Narrabri.

“NSW Nationals leader Dugald Saunders and Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson joined the mayor of Narrabri Darrell Tiemens to speak to impacted staff and residents in the region today. It follows a debate in parliament at the end of last month on a petition with more than 12,000 signatures requesting the Legislative Assembly to direct the Hunter New England Health District to:

– Urgently provide Wee Waa Hospital access to an onsite doctor.

– Restore the 24-hour operation of Wee Waa Hospital, including emergency services, inpatient beds, outpatient services, and primary and community health care services.

– Give monthly reports to the government and the mayor of Narrabri until full 24/7 operation and onsite doctor access is restored.

NSW Nationals leader Dugald Saunders said the town has been deprived of the medical services it deserves.

“All residents across NSW deserve the same access to high-quality health care no matter where they live, but for the past two years things have deteriorated in Wee Waa and this situation is going to cost someone their life,” Mr Saunders said.

“The reality is emergencies don’t only happen during business hours and an extra half hour drive could be the difference between life or death.

“The Premier and the Health Minister need to work with the Hunter New England Health District to ensure it comes to the table with a proper plan to fix things as soon as possible.”

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said the situation has gone on for far too long.

“Right now we are seeing presentations at Wee Waa Hospital drop right off because the community simply can’t trust that services will be delivered there,” Mr Anderson said.

“When your health is suffering, or one of your loved ones is sick, you will give up almost anything to get the best care you can, and the Wee Waa community should expect the same.

“The nurses at the hospital do a great job during the day but they are in desperate need of help and can’t keep working ridiculous hours to keep things afloat.”

Community members at the library workshop also delivered messages to the media via video, sharing their stories and views to raise awareness, encourage people to make submissions and support the ‘Save Our Wee Waa Hospital’ campaign’s mission to restore health services.

Wee Waa Local Aboriginal Land Council chief executive officer Robyn Keeffe and Mel Manchee from Roy Butler’s office.

Save Wee Waa Hospital committee member Wendy Phelps attended the writing workshop at the library this week to assist community members with their submissions. Mrs Phelps has previously worked as a nurse for the Wee Waa Health Service.

“Bring back the doctors. It used to be a thriving hospital – we had theatre, obstetrics, a children’s ward, we had everything there,” said Mrs Phelps.

“We would like some VMOs (Visiting Medical Officers) to come to our hospital and then we will bring the nurses back, I am sure.”

Carmel Schwager said she was writing a submission on behalf of the NSW Farmers Wee Waa branch.

As well as advocating for the farming community, Mrs Schwager highlighted there are three primary schools, two high schools in Wee Waa as well as school in surrounding villages.

“Farming is a big employer around here, farming to our Australia economy is worth a lot of money and we have got one of the poorer health services around – our hospital closes at 5:30,” said Mrs Schwager.

“It’s not safe for our community, it’s not safe for our farm workers and our families – we have got so many examples of close calls.”

Mrs Schwager said, “It’s not just Wee Waa that is being serviced – it’s Burren and it’s Spring Plains and it’s Pilliga. I don’t think people realise how vast the area is here and how much we rely on a hospital being open 24/7 with access to an onsite doctor.

“I don’t think Newcastle understands what it’s like in rural and remote Australia,” she added.

“People here can travel up to two hours in an emergency and if Wee Waa is closed, they have got to go further. We really need our hospital back open.”

Narrabri Shire mayor Darrell Tiemens said: “I’m very much in favour of splitting up Hunter New England Health.”

The mayor added, “This health district is about half the size of New Zealand.

“Rural and remote residents deserve top shelf health (services), Wee Waa hospital is basically being treated as a satellite for Narrabri which is just simply inappropriate.”

“We would like people to submit their stories and anecdotes about their treatment by Hunter New England Health ….we’re helping people write their submissions.”

To lodge a submission online, visit the NSW Parliament website here