Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton has this week called for the leadership of the Hunter New England Local Health District to visit the community of Wee Waa and come up with a solution, following the closure of the local hospital.

Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, Mr Coulton said basic health care is something that all Australians should have access to.

“The community of Wee Waa have been very angry and upset by the actions of Hunter New England Health,” Mr Coulton said.

“They have closed Wee Waa Hospital. The Emergency Department closes at 5.30pm every day. There is no visiting medical officer, and this hospital is largely underutilised. There are wards with beds. There are treatment rooms. Everything is ready to go.

“Can you imagine the frustration of a community that has had a service that is no longer available?”

Mr Coulton acknowledged that responsibility for the hospital falls to the New South Wales Government but noted that despite reassurances from the Independent State Member and the New South Wales Health Minister, there appeared to be no action by Hunter New England Health.

“Hunter New England Health do have form, I think, in the lack of interest in the issues of and services for people in northern New South Wales.”

Mr Coulton said it was not just the community of Wee Waa that is being impacted by this decision.

“Wee Waa Hospital services a big community, largely to the west. There are communities from Burren Junction up to Rowena and nearly as far out as Walgett. Those people of western New South Wales rely on Wee Waa Hospital.

“I’m calling on the New South Wales Government and Hunter New England Health to get behind the people of Wee Waa, get their skates on, hop in the car, drive to Wee Waa and fix this problem that should be very, very simply fixed with just a bit of gumption and purpose.

“The people of Wee Waa deserve a health service that’s reliable and available, and I’m backing them in on this.”