After further vague public statements from Edward River Council re big plans and ideas for future healthcare for Deniliquin residents, the concern of many current Deniliquin residents remain the question of “where to now for our medical requirements?”.
The council, having availed themselves of “much information from many industry experts” would then obviously also know that medical practitioners are mandated to make reasonable arrangements for patient care.
If said practitioners are unable to continue their care/treatment of the patient, we are also obligated to provide contact details of potential practitioners who could provide continuation of the patient's care.
Many of our patients need regular monthly follow-up visits for a variety of reasons, including patients undergoing cancer treatment.
Surely council would have had input from the Deputy Mayor Kellie Crossley, as the Deniliquin Can Assist president (I believe), who would surely have taken this into consideration when the termination was voted on.
I would expect that would have been a part of the risk assessment, which ERC will not provide to Lourene and myself.
I would also expect the following would have been in their risk assessment.
We do annual medical clearance for drivers over age 75 daily.
Hopefully NSW Police in Deniliquin can be approached to waive this in the near future for local drivers who cannot get this check done in a timely manner.
Our practice cares for approximately 40 people in our local nursing homes weekly, and several patients in care homes in town.
Have they been approached about their ongoing care?
Making alternative arrangements for potentially thousands of local patients in the remaining time - fewer than 70 days, with the lease expiring after October 1, 2026 - is a near impossibility, especially in our area, where most practices do not accept any new patients.
The rushed decision by council to terminate our lease has left patients and ourselves seriously in the lurch.
Hopefully council can shoulder the professional obligation they have now created for themselves.
Yours etc.
Dr Albert Liebenberg
Deniliquin
12°C