Congratulations to community members who contributed to pathology services campaign

As a former resident of Narrabri may I congratulate all those members of the community who contributed to the campaign to ensure that the vital pathology services offered via Narrabri Hospital were not removed or diminished.

It is understandable that in the current climate of economic and social stress in Australia that health services of all types are under continuing and growing pressures but a key consequence of such a situation is that it is regional and rural areas which seem to be first in line when it comes to cutbacks and service reduction.

The contributions that rural and regional communities across this country make to the nation’s well-being are all too often sidelined or forgotten when it comes to legitimate expectations of state and federal service and resource allocations held by those communities.

It has been fortunate that the Narrabri district community has been able to shake off what has been described as “unnecessary distress” over the pathology services issue and gain promises for a continuation of the previous service levels.

However, it is worth noting that the protests and debate that has ensued in recent time represented a multitude of sources.

These included knowledgeable professionals, politicians, community representatives, ordinary citizens, and, of course, the local press.

Local newspapers such as The Courier have throughout their existence around the globe been proud defenders of the areas they serve.

Sadly, in large countries such as the United States, Great Britain, Europe and Australia the population of local, independent newspapers has shrunk as a consequence of the digital revolution.

Many communities everywhere, large and small, no longer have a “local”.

Social media has failed to fill the gap in ensuring that local people have a reliable publishing mirror which reflects the daily circumstances of the local area.

However, it is pleasing to see a resurgence of local, independent community newspapers in Eastern Australia, filling the void left by the ‘digitisation’ of the major corporate publications.

In regard to the pathology services matter in Narrabri, I was pleased to see that The Courier continued the task of the Fourth Estate in providing a mirror on the issues as they unfolded.

A former resident of Narrabri district (name withheld by request)