A statement signed by all nine councillors pledges unanimous support for decisions made and the process to date since council announced it would terminate Ochre Health’s lease early and get a new operator in the centre.
The statement was discussed and drafted after Councillor Shirlee Burge reported alleged “aggressive” behaviour toward councillors and staff.
Cr Burge alluded to social media posts which she said “in my opinion spread fear and uncertainty throughout our community” and resulted in her being “confronted, aggressively, twice”.
Cr Burge also expressed concern that the mayor and other council leaders had been “aggressively and unfairly publicly attacked”.
“I commend my fellow councillors on their refusal to engage publicly with this absolutely uncalled-for tirade and our magnanimous behaviour and relationship with the existing tenant, Ochre,” she said.
Councillors agreed to discuss the matter further in a confidential committee of council, which lasted almost three hours, and sought external advice on how best to proceed.
The resolution was to issue a statement of support, which was published on Friday and reads:
“Edward River Council's nine councillors are united in their support of the resolution passed at this week's Ordinary Council Meeting regarding the ongoing Deniliquin Medical Centre matter.
“The resolution reaffirms council's full confidence in the Mayor, Chief Executive Officer and council staff as they continue to carry out their statutory and organisational responsibilities with professionalism, integrity and diligence.
“Councillors remain committed to ensuring the Expression of Interest process is conducted in an impartial, objective and robust manner, with all decisions made in accordance with the established evaluation process and governance requirements.
“As a council, we stand behind the process under way and the delegated officers and independent experts responsible for reaching a final recommendation.
“We look forward to working constructively with the successful applicant once the process has been completed.”
Ochre Health’s lease of the Deniliquin Medical Centre was not due to expire until October next year.
Council announced in July, after discussions about the long-term delivery of healthcare services, the lease would be terminated this October instead.
The decision sparked a strong community response about how it would impact on local health care access and arrangements, and a community campaign to try and halt the termination.
That campaign suggested there had not been enough due diligence, consultation or accountability.
Council has received four expressions of interest for the new medical centre lease - current Ochre Health employed doctor Ian Carey under the name Rivergum Health Hub, Dr Robert Campbell as RJ Campbell Pty Ltd, Former Deni doctor Nishan Silva under the name GP Super Clinic Pty Ltd and Finley Regional Care.
All four submissions are now undergoing a formal assessment by a six-person panel, including four independent members with relevant experience.
Council anticipates the process to take two to fours weeks, with the panel’s recommendation to be put to a council meeting.
If a decision is made before the next ordinary council meeting on Tuesday, September 22, an extraordinary meeting may be called.
Ochre’s lease officially expires on October 1, but it has agreed to stay on longer as required and to aid in the transition to the new operators.
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