More than 1,000 Barraba locals will have their voices heard by the government after Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson lodged a petition on their behalf.
The petition calls on the government to address the doctor shortage in Barraba, following the sudden loss of two GPs in August. Dr Owen Boyd, who broke Spring Ridge’s doctor drought, began visiting clinics and telehealth services for people in Barraba when the other doctors closed, but it is felt the community needs a permanent doctor.
“The loss of GP services was deeply distressing for the Barraba community, a town with a population over 1,500,” Mr Anderson said.
“The town has been without a [resident] doctor for some time, and there’s been a concerted effort by everybody in the region to try and attract a new permanent doctor to Barraba.
“It’s an ageing population and residents are rightly concerned about a lack of local medical coverage, which is why I recently meet with the community and accepted their petition which calls on the government to fix the situation.
“I have tabled that petition in parliament, which means the Minister for Health and Regional Health will be required to take note of the community’s concerns and respond.
“It’s up to the State Government, the Federal Government, and the Local Health District to work together to find a doctor for Barraba and I expect them to do that.
“In the meantime, I’ll continue to do what I need to do to support the community, keeping them updated on any information as it is made available and supporting their efforts to attract doctors to Barraba.”
Mr Anderson also met with the Rural Doctors Network in Parliament this week to discuss the situation in Barraba, and moved a motion in parliament, calling on the Government to immediately address the shortage of doctors in Barraba.
To view Mr Anderson Notice of Motion in the NSW Parliament, follow this link.
Like what you’re reading? Support The New England Times by making a small donation today and help us keep delivering local news paywall-free. Donate now