Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has responded to public outcry regarding the lack of a doctor at Cootamundra hospital on weekdays, a situation that has developed because GPs are no longer being supplied from the nearby Cootamundra Medical Centre (CMC).
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"I am "onto it" - for the Cootamundra community and others," Ms Cooke said in response to comments left on the Cootamundra Herald facebook page after a story on the issue was posted last week.
"As you will all appreciate, this is a difficult area with few short term solutions.
"I wish I could click my fingers and put an end to the doctors shortage. No one person or organisation has the solution.
"Can I say above all else, a huge thank you to our Cootamundra doctors, nurses and paramedics who do an incredible job day in and out to help us when we need it most.
"Your efforts do not go unnoticed and your well-being is paramount.
"Many of the issues are caused by decisions at the Federal, not NSW level including the administration of Medicare, registrar numbers, GP training etc.
"However, we face the effect on the ground in our communities."
Ms Cooke said she will continue to fight hard to resolve these issues.
"And of course I will continue to work with MLHD, Western LHD, the NSW Health Minister and the Rural Doctors Network, to do whatever is in our remit to both alleviate the short term pain and solve the long term issues.
"I hope this reassures people that I am aware of the challenges, working hard behind the scenes," Ms Cooke said.
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