The support has been overwhelming and heartening. A special thank you to my husband Kevin who has been my rock, working tirelessly for weeks, providing financial, technical and more support.
Thanks also to Pat Webb my coordinator who has been a tower of strength, Tumut Shire Council and all those who helped produce the booklet "Rural Health Matters", Tumut & Adelong Times for help with printing and coverage, Tumut and District Historical Society for putting together the tribute display to our pioneers who built the original hospital, and the many locals who manned the information booths in Wynyard Street, Tumut.
There are many others who lent their support, too numerous to name. Thank you everybody.
Last Thursday, November 3, 446 people signed a letter to the Dir. General of Department of NSW Health Robyn Kruk outlining their concerns at the state of Tumut Hospital and detailing some of its problems.
Letters containing a copy of this petition have also been sent to Federal and State politicians.
Since then, other disturbing information has come from members of the public.
Last week's public meeting was well attended. Unfortunately, yet again the general public were given scant opportunity to ask questions of our health administrators following the presentation of the Tumut Health Services Plan 2006-2011.
I know that many who attended that meeting were expecting me to speak on their behalf. It was disappointing, therefore, that I was stopped virtually mid sentence after only a few minutes and the microphone taken from me before being able to raise their concerns.
Yes, I asked more than one question - but I expected administrators of that calibre to be able to walk and chew gum at the same time! I felt that I was gagged. Others tell me they felt the same way.
There were many who wanted to discuss matters with health administrators and get answers to many questions. They were not given the chance because the meeting was dosed at approximately 6.45 p.m. even though the room was booked for hours more. What was the rush?
It disturbs me that the issue of a new hospital is still not resolved, along with many other serious matters relating to the provision of health facilities in this district.
I am also disturbed that the Tumut Health Services Plan, although based on the local government boundaries, seems to centre on the town of Tumut (what about Batlow hospital?).
The whole issue of the need of new hospitals and health facilities does not belong to me. This is a community issue. It belongs to everybody, all the families and businesses in the district whose lives and incomes will be affected if it is not fixed, and quickly.
I therefore make this offer to the community. I am prepared to continue with the "No More Bandaids" campaign and to fight for the rights of local people, but on certain conditions. Those conditions are - that I receive some indication of support from the community as to whether they want me to continue campaigning on their behalf.
If you, the person reading this, want the "No More Bandaids" campaign to continue to promote the cause of a new hospital for Tumut and Batlow, and to promote the improvement of health facilities and services in this district, I need you to tell me. I will only do this if the community want it. I can be contacted via PO Box 132, Tumut.
On the ultrasound issue, politicians I have been lobbying have requested that people who have had problems in accessing and affording ultrasound services in this district (especially if they are pensioners and denied bulk billing) to come forward and say so. Anyone who wishes me to press on their concerns can contact me at the above address.
The problems are still here. They will not go away without direct action.
Yours etc., Sue Swann
Co-Ordinator
"No More Bandaids - New Hospital Now" campaign Tumut
TUMUT & ADELONG TIMES
Friday, November 11, 2005