Services study for Murrumbidgee Health District

The cost of the study has been estimated at $300,000 in Edward River Council’s 2021 Advocacy Strategy.

Mayor Norm Brennan said the completion of a clinical services plan had been an advocacy priority of council since the document was first created, three years ago.

Cr Brennan said the number of health services available in Deniliquin has been disintegrating over a number of years, and has been exacerbated by a lack of doctors across the district.

‘‘We believed, and now it appears the government concur, a clinical services plan was essential to understand the objective needs of the local community and to provide a clear set of actions to fill the gaps in health services available locally,’’ Cr Brennan said.

‘‘It is a great step forward for all of us in the Edward River region, and beyond.’’

The plan is expected to audit gaps in healthcare in the Murrumbidgee Local Health District catchment area.

To be compiled across 2021-22, it will take into account both the existing and future needs of the 25,000 southern Riverina residents which rely on those services.

‘‘We’re trying to ask ‘what are the demands and where are those demands placed?’’’ Cr Brennan said.

Advocacy for improved health services ramped up during the 2019 NSW Government election campaign, when there were calls for services to be reinstated and a new Deniliquin Hospital to be built.

Council originally advocated for increased health funding amid calls for a new hospital, but recently changed its strategy to ask for the clinical services plan.

No new hospital was promised, however a combined $4.6 million in NSW and Federal Government funding was announced during state and federal election campaigns.

It also led to the formation of the Deniliquin Health Action Group.

With funding now secured for the clinical service plan, MLHD said it is searching for an independent contractor to compile the report.

An MLHD spokesperson said the plan will ‘‘reflect the community’s needs into the future’’, over a period of at least five years.

‘‘It ensures health services are organised and delivered based on the community’s existing and future needs, and to make the most effective use of available resources to improve population outcomes,’’ the spokesperson said.

‘‘MLHD will determine the required services based on population, equity of access, remoteness, evidence based practice and the use of evolving technologies to reduce travel and increase access to a broader range of health services.’’

Both MLHD and Deniliquin’s Local Health Advisory Committee have recognised the ‘‘critical role’’ of community feedback in determining service gaps.

Deniliquin LHAC chair Lourene Liebenberg said her committee would be advocating for community consultation to complement data collection.

‘‘LHAC will certainly advocate for consumer feedback through all the different stages of the development of this plan,’’ Mrs Liebenberg said.

‘‘Different community members have different opinions about what is needed; so LHAC thinks it is great that an external provider will undertake this plan, will be able to collect independent data and will consult with the community and staff.’’

Mrs Liebenberg congratulated Edward River Council on its successful advocacy after ‘‘constant’’ communication between council and the NSW Government.

Cr Brennan said advocacy to improve the region’s healthcare standards involves ticking off many boxes.

‘‘The $4.6 million we got for the hospital was the first little tick and this is the next tick,’’ Cr Brennan said.

The funding secured for Deniliquin Hospital during the 2019 elections was earmarked for a new CT scanner and upgrades to the hospital emergency department, as well as improved oncology services, and upgrades to paediatric services, day surgery and operating theatre.

The CT scanner has already been delivered and the other upgrades are due to start soon and be completed next year.

A key issue with the clinical services plan will no doubt be capturing the number of Deniliquin and district patients who are treated in Victoria, because services are not available locally.