The Cootamundra Pathology lab will remain open. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
Health Minister Ryan Park announced on Thursday (8 May) that the NSW Health Pathology laboratory will remain in Cootamundra, reversing the previous decision to close the lab and move it to Young.
The original plan to relocate the lab to a town 40 minutes away sparked a backlash from the local council, residents, Health Services Union (HSU) and Cootamundra MP Steph Cooke.
The union organised strike action in December 2024 and February 2025, and Ms Cooke tabled a petition to parliament which more than 10,000 people signed.
The petition called on the NSW Government “to maintain NSW Health Pathology Services, including the Cootamundra lab, to support regional communities and prevent the loss of other services such as maternity and theatre.”
“I thank the Health Minister for meeting with the Health Services Union and our members at Young and Cootamundra Pathology to listen and act on their concerns with the proposal to relocate pathology services from Cootamundra to Young,” Health Services Union Secretary Gerard Hayes said of Thursday’s announcement.
“This is a major win for the community of Cootamundra and surrounds.
“Regional New South Wales deserves access to quality and timely care, and thanks to this decision, they will.”
In February 2024, HSU official Sam Oram claimed the decision to close the lab put lives at risk.
“They couldn’t explain how caesarean sections would be performed without available blood supplies. A former nurse pointed out that O-negative blood, which is often in short supply, is not always readily available. What happens if someone comes in with a snakebite?” he said.
The NSW Government said that through the implementation of Point of Care Testing technology, the Cootamundra laboratory will now be capable of undertaking more testing on location more quickly.
Point of Care Testing technology is capable of providing pathology results within minutes, enabling doctors to diagnose patients faster and make critical treatment decisions without the need to send samples to a laboratory.
These devices provide reliable, accurate test results, and most tests will take between 5 and 15 minutes. Health service staff are being trained in the use of the new devices, and the technology is already being used after-hours.
“I thank staff, the Health Services Union, the local community and NSW Pathology for bringing this to my attention and working to resolve this matter,” Minister Park said.
“It means the community can access pathology services more quickly and closer to home.”
Steph Cooke MP celebrated the decision on social media.
“I had an impromptu meeting with Minister Park a little while ago and he advised me that our voice had been heard,” she said.
“Cootamundra Pathology Laboratory would remain open and we would retain the upgraded testing equipment.
“I’ve spoken with Cootamundra Mayor Abb McAlister. He is understandably elated by this decision. Mayor McAlister has been a fierce advocate for keeping our laboratory open, and we’ve been in lockstep from the beginning.”
The collection service is located at Cootamundra Primary Health Centre in MacKay Street and is open 7:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday.
Original Article published by Oliver Jacques on Region Riverina.
