NSW Ambulance says patient safety is its highest priority. Photo: Julia Gomina.
With growing concerns over changes to health services in Cootamundra, the state’s paramedic service has assured the community that emergency care and patient safety remain its top focus.
“The safety of our patients is our highest priority,” said NSW Ambulance Acting Senior Assistant Commissioner Alan Morrison.
“I want to assure the Cootamundra and Gundagai communities that if you call triple zero with a life-threatening medical emergency, NSW Ambulance will be there to respond.
“NSW Ambulance has a network of highly mobile clinicians, including paramedics, intensive care paramedics (ICPs), critical care paramedics (CCPs), doctors and nurses, available to respond across the region.”
With the loss of intensive care paramedic services and the future of Cootamundra’s health services set to change, State Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke put forward a petition last month.
In June 2024, the Cootamundra community was notified that maternity services at Cootamundra Hospital would be discontinued under the Murrumbidgee Local Health District’s (MLHD) draft Health Services Plan (HSP) for the Cootamundra Health Service.
Mr Morrison said a total of 76 ICPs had been strategically stationed across the Murrumbidgee, the Central West and southern NSW to best support the delivery of mobile and emergency healthcare needs.
He said a 2024 NSW Auditor-General’s report concluded the locations of ICPs, determined through a well-established service planning process, were comprehensive and effective.
“Our CCPs, doctors and nurses are also available to quickly deploy medical resources to critically ill patients across the region via our state-of-the-art rescue helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft,” Mr Morrison said.
Since 2023, seven paramedics have joined Cootamundra under the Strategic Workforce Infrastructure Team (SWIFT) program, which aims to enhance emergency and mobile healthcare services for metropolitan and regional communities.
Overall since 2023, the Murrumbidgee, Central West and Southern NSW Zones have welcomed an additional 83 paramedics.
“The next phase of enhancements is progressing with NSW Ambulance consulting with staff and their unions regarding the enhancement proposals for Albury, Deniliquin, Wagga Wagga, Young, Temora and Orange,” Mr Morrison said.
At a public rally in December 2024, the Cootamundra community launched a major campaign to oppose cuts to Cootamundra Hospital services.
Ms Cooke’s petition calls on the NSW Parliament to maintain current service levels at Cootamundra Hospital and reject any proposed cuts to pathology services in the region.
To sign the Save Cootamundra’s Pathology, Surgical and Birthing Departments petition, click here to download and print the petition.
Return the signed petition to PO Box 350, Young 2594, or to Ms Cooke’s offices at 140 Boorowa Street, Young, or 25 Seignior Street, Junee.
Residents should note they can sign the petition only once and the original document needs to be returned, but it doesn’t matter how many signatures are on the page.
Original Article published by Shri Gayathirie Rajen on Region Riverina.
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