A Cootamundra obstetrician has called for increased rural medical engagement in the wake of slated closures to Temora Hospital’s maternity services.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It comes after a media release by the Murrumbidgee Local Health District on August 20 outlined ‘recommended’ changes to Temora, foremost of which was the relocation of women who require caesarean births and gynaecological surgery to Cootamundra and Young hospitals in consultation with their GP Obstetrician.
Acting Director Operations for Murrumbidgee Local Health District Carla Bailey said the changes will ensure the hospital “continues to provide a safe, appropriate service for the local community”, however GP obstetricians from both Cootamundra and Temora have labelled the decision as ‘disastrous’.
“We have been trying to get services between Coota, Young and Temora better organised so this closure is a disaster,” said Cootamundra GP obstetrician Dr Jacques Scholz.
“We want to make things easier for the patient but we’ve only one GP obstetrician in Coota.
“It's already so difficult to get GP’s into rural towns - now we’re faced with this.
Dr Scholz said the closure would likely result in skilled obstetricians seeking work elsewhere.
“We love our jobs and what we do, so if you can't do it here you'll go somewhere where you can do it,” he said.
“This decision means we could easily lose two, three doctors.”
Temora GP obstetrician Dr Rachel Christmas believes the decision will force patients out to Cootamundra and increase pressure on Dr Scholz.
“The upgraded facilities at Cootamundra are capable of maintaining traffic but more staff will be needed,” Dr Christmas said.
“It’s just sad because the Temora facility deserves to stay open and we’re terribly disappointed with the lack of consultation.
“Partial closure is not a solution … we haven’t withdrawn completely but it’s a nail in our coffin.”
Dr Scholz said unwanted Temora staff would find open arms in Cootamundra but believes plans must be made for the hospital’s future.
“It would be good if one of them came to Coota but it’s difficult for them to lift all their roots and move on from an established practice and patient base,” he said.
“We need to look to the future and have more input into rural generalist programs.
“But that’s difficult when decisions like this undermine rural areas and affect the workforce with the potential for losing GPs.”
