Hilltops Councillor steps in for Politics in the Pub

'The best laid plans of mice and men are apt to go awry'. These were the words with which the coordinator of Politics in the Pub on Monday night wanted to begin his introduction. The evening's topic was 'The Challenges Facing Rural Healthcare' and the only doctor able to attend pulled out at the last moment due to major surgery.

As was explained at the beginning, the coordinators of the event, AWARE: Cootamundra and Surrounds Social Justice Group, were told there were no doctors available to attend from the Cootamundra Medical Centre; the doctor from Junee thought that it would be unethical for him to come under these circumstances and Dr Paul Mara AM from Gundagai was obliged to withdraw five minutes after we were due to begin.

Fortunately, the last man standing, John Horton, resident of Harden and Hilltops councillor, proved a most informative and stimulating speaker; the discussion that followed from his talk was the most vigorous and productive of the four meetings we have had so far.

John spoke of his efforts to attract doctors to the Kruger Medical Centre at Harden, his role in the re-opening of the hydrotherapy pool and the process leading to the building of a new hospital in the town.

Harden, like all rural towns, faces the same difficulties of recruiting and retaining doctors. However, John emphasised the importance of welcoming and supporting new doctors. Harden has two council houses available for doctors and their families; the community makes an effort to welcome the newcomers, formally and informally, and John stressed the importance of constructive and appreciative feedback for the doctors and for the nurses and staff of the hospital.

The discussion that followed John's talk included people's experiences of the stresses involved when a family member was seriously and suddenly ill and the anxiety about recent reports of the availability of doctors at the hospital. Jim Main and later Councillor Charlie Sheahan clarified that our doctors continue to provide care at these critical times.

There was a serious and significant misapprehension about this situation. Those who attended the meeting on Monday night now understand what is happening; there needs to be a public statement for the community as a whole.

The conversation kept coming back to an appreciation of the service we do receive from our doctors and hospital; John's words about welcoming and supporting doctors and nurses in our community were finding a warm echo in comments. It was at this stage, towards the end of the meeting, that doctors Daniel Fry and Jacques Scholtze slipped into chairs at the back of the room.

So much for the 'plans of mice and men'! The two men could not have come at a better time. The group was able to give them the welcome that had been a theme of the evening and Daniel was able to provide more information and assurance and explain the possibilities and challenges in enlisting new staff for the medical centre and the hospital.

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