February 5, 2021

Gunnedah Shire Council received correspondence from Hunter New England Health yesterday to advise they have received a number of expressions of interest from potential operators of the Gunnedah Rural Health Centre.

While we welcome this news, Council questions the projected six month timeframe provided by Hunter New England Health in assessing these applications and commencement of a successful operator.

The Gunnedah community is in desperate need of doctors and another six months is not good enough.

Council have recently outlined our concerns about the local GP shortage in the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Health Outcomes and Access to Health and Hospital Services in Rural, Regional and Remote New South Wales.

The situation on the ground in Gunnedah is at a crisis level. The proposed six month time frame in addressing this health crisis is simply unacceptable and leaves our residents at risk.  

I request that Hunter New England Health expedite this process as a matter of urgency and move a GP service into the vacant Gunnedah Rural Health Centre as soon as practically possible.

ENDS

Media contact: Communications team (02) 6740 2100.