Welcome barbecue this weekend for new Wee Waa nurses

The community is encouraged to attend a welcome barbecue for the new nurses at the Wee Waa Health Service this weekend.

Starting at 11am, the Lions Club will cook its signature barbecue and CWA members will serve delicious scones, slices, tea, and coffee.

The community event will be held on Saturday 19 September on the Wee Waa Hospital lawn.

Recently, some new nurses have relocated to make Wee Waa their home.

As previously reported, from Monday 5 October the Wee Waa Health Service will operate from 7am to 10pm seven days a week.

Health Minister Ryan Park said the expanded hours were due to the recruitment of additional nurses who will join the service over the coming months.

Since 2023, Hunter New England Local Health District reduced the Wee Waa Health Service operating hours to 8am to 5.30pm, citing significant healthcare workforce shortages.

Narrabri Shire Council mayor Darrell Tiemens strongly encouraged the community to come along to the free community barbecue on the lawns of Wee Waa Hospital to welcome the new nurses and to thank the nurses who have continued to serve the community.

“The free barbecue has been organised by the Wee Waa CWA, Wee Waa Lions Club, the Wee Waa Hospital Auxiliary and a number of other local organisations,” Cr Tiemens said.

“It is a simple but important opportunity for the community to come together and show our appreciation for the nurses who care for local people.

“Our nurses are an essential part of Wee Waa Hospital and of the wider community. We want our new nurses to know that they are warmly welcomed into Wee Waa, and we also want to recognise and thank those nurses who have continued to serve the district.

“Narrabri Shire Council strongly supports moves towards restoring services at Wee Waa Hospital.

“The community has been very clear about the importance of strong, reliable and accessible health services locally, and attracting and retaining nursing staff is an important part of that.

“I hope as many people as possible will join us at 11am on Saturday for the free barbecue.

“This is our chance to say thank you to our existing nurses, welcome our new nurses and demonstrate the strength of community support for Wee Waa Hospital.”