ORGANISERS of the "No More Bandaids" campaign have vowed to press on with their efforts to secure replacements for Tumut's 106-year-old public hospital and the dilapidated Batlow hospital "as a matter of urgency" by taking their case directly to the Government.

And whilst there has been widespread publicity in the wake of local businessman Phil Barton's recent letter to the Times, supporting construction of a new region hospital in Wagga ahead of Tumut, the "No More Bandaids" group says it has no gripe with a new base hospital at Wagga.

"In fact we are on record as having also campaigned on behalf of low income earners and pensioners for easy access to affordable medical imaging, and for the immediate building of a new Base hospital at Wagga," said group spokesperson Sue Swann.

Mr Barton wrote to the Times with the view Wagga's new hospital had to be up and running prior to Tumut's, because patients with complicated or serious health problems could be treated closer to home instead of having to go to capital cities. It would also be better placed to attract specialists once a new Base hospital was built, he said.

Meanwhile organisers of the group campaign say overwhelming community support has resulted in them founding an incorporated non-profit organisation to be known as "No More Bandaid Solutions Inc."

"The new group was officially registered on November 15, and aims to promote and work towards the improvement of health services in rural and regional NSW," said Ms Swann who has become its secretary.

"The principal activities of the organisation will be in the fields of health education, liaison between community and health administration, advocacy for individuals and community groups, research into health needs of country people, and the establishment and delivery of medical services."

She said to date, despite the formulation by Greater Southern Area Health Service of a long term plan to cover health administration in the area, and two public meetings, many local residents still felt they had been brushed aside by health administrators.

"They believe the problems remain unresolved and fear that unless there is concrete commitment made by the NSW Government in the immediate future, there will be long term damage to the health and economy of the region," said Ms Swann.

"Following personal representations made on their behalf, the management committee of the new group, which includes representatives from local medical and community organisations, are now in discussion with the NSW Government regarding the initial issues which sparked the campaign.

"A request for formal negotiations has been lodged and is currently being considered by the Minister's officer. "Other politicians have now also responded to correspondence from the group."

Ms Swann said the management committee has been pleased at the response from locals who "have demonstrated that community spirit is still alive and well in Tumut." A window display in Tumut Pharmacy as a tribute to the local community that built Tumut District Hospital in 1899 had drawn much interest, she said.

Ms Swann said she had been inundated with messages of encouragement and support over recent months and weeks which she greatly appreciated.

"I appreciate all the words of encouragement and will endeavour to represent the concerns raised to the best of my ability," she said.

"Membership of 'No More Bandaid Solutions Inc" is open to those who are keen to support the aims of the group which are geared to improve rural health facilities, particularly in the Tumut region."

For further information, to apply for membership or to donated to the campaign people can write to The Secretary, 'No More Bandaid Solutions Inc', P.O. Box 491, Tumut, NSW 2720, send an e-mail to fixitnow@tpg.com.au or log onto the web site www.nomorebandaids.homestead.com

Tuesday, November 29, 2005

TUMUT & ADELONG TIMES