The hospital has recruited an occupational therapist, a dietitian, two speech pathologists, and two physiotherapists.

Cootamundra hospital facility manager Belinda Downey said the extra staff join an existing team, but they would make a big difference for residents looking for those important services.

“It means people don’t have to travel to get these services,” Mrs Downey said.

“Someone doesn’t have to take a day of work to help someone travel to access these services.

“There’s no need to travel, the services are provided close to home.”

Mrs Downey said recruiting allied health staff to rural and regional areas could be a challenge.

“We’re very lucky that we’ve had all these allied health professionals join us,” she said.

Mrs Downey said the additional staff would play a big role in rehabilitation for hospital patients as well as providing outreach services throughout the district.

She said occupational therapist Felicity Carr would provide invaluable help for people who need help getting around or remaining at home.

That might mean finding the best mobility aids such as wheelchairs but also working out how people can use those aids best once they leave the hospital.

Mrs Downey said for older people wanting to remain in their own home, they would be able to call on help to ensure they could stay in their own homes for longer.

“It’s keeping people at home for longer which is very important and making sure people have the right aids so their independence is maintained,” she said.

Mrs Downey said the hospital’s speech pathologists Lucy Knight and Lauren Webber would work with both children and adults.

Mrs Downey said Andrew Atkins was the hospital’s locum physiotherapist who has been joined by Matthew McMahon, a graduate student from Prince of Wales Hospital in Randwick.

She said they had already started making an impact at the hospital by starting a morning exercise class for patients.

“It’s about keeping you active so that your mobility isn’t compromised because of your hospital stay,” she said.

Mrs Downey said the next goal for the hospital will be to recruit a permanent physiotherapist to join the allied health team.