Residents were out in force to protest the reduction of services at Cootamundra Hospital. A petition is circulating, and Mayor Abb McAlister is urging all within the local government area to put their signature to it. Photo: Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council.
Cootamundra Mayor Abb McAlister has slammed NSW Health Pathology’s decision to close his town’s service, which he says defies the assurance that there would be community consultation before the final decision.
Cr McAlister told Region he spoke to NSW Pathology representatives in November, along with the deputy mayor, Rosalind Wight, and the previous interim general manager.
“We explained and pushed the point that we don’t want the Cootamundra pathology closed, and before they made any decision, we wanted them to come back and have public meetings and drop-in sessions,” Cr McAlister said.
“We never heard a thing about it, and two weeks ago, we got a call to say they are going to close it.
“I was very disappointed they never came back and met with the community, and now they are saying it could take six months to close it.”
Cr McAlister said, at the council’s request, NSW Pathology will return and speak with the community on Monday (24 February) for a drop-in session.
He said community members, especially those who would be at work during the day, weren’t given enough time and opportunity to participate in the consultation.
NSW Health Pathology responded by saying there will be sessions on Monday 24 February during the day and night, at the following times:
10 am – 11 am
12 pm – 1 pm
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
3 pm – 4 pm
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
7 pm – 8 pm
Residents can choose which session they can attend and register online.
NSW Health Pathology Chief Executive Vanessa Janissen defended the decision to shut down the Cootamundra lab despite being heavily criticised for moving the service to Young.
“Earlier this month, I visited our laboratories in Cootamundra and Young to speak to staff and community leaders about our decision, after careful deliberation and consultation, to introduce a regional networked service model,” Ms Janissen said.
“I want to ensure the community understands our decision and why it means Cootamundra will continue to have access to the most advanced testing and laboratory services.
“We will introduce enhanced ‘point of care’ testing at Cootamundra Health Service and expand our laboratory service at Young.”
Cr McAlister said Ms Janissen’s assurances fell short of addressing the concerns of Cootamundra residents.
“You never want services taken out of your local hospital,” he said.
“One of the first things they told us in November was, ‘We will not do this if it’s not 100 per cent risk-free’.
“Sending blood to Young for testing and getting the results is not risk-free.”
Cr McAlister said that during the Monday session, he would continue to fight for the lab to stay in Cootamundra.
“We’ve still got time to stop this. The Young pathology doesn’t want it and is taking strike action,” he said.
“We are going to point out all the reasons why we want to keep the labs.
“I just want them to be truthful with us. Why are you taking this? Is it cost-saving measures?”
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke is disappointed that despite overwhelming community opposition, the Minister for Health and Regional Health is allowing NSW Pathology to go ahead with the reckless decision.
“The people of Cootamundra and surrounding areas have made their voices heard loud and clear – they want and deserve local pathology services. Removing them puts lives at risk, and I will not stop fighting for our communities,” Ms Cooke said.
Ms Cooke is frustrated that finds it unacceptable that the concerns of residents, medical professionals, and local leaders are being ignored.
“It’s not just an inconvenience – it directly impacts patient care, and the government’s decision to proceed shows a disregard for rural health needs, she said.
Ms Cooke said the decision was made without genuine consultation from the outset.
“If the government had truly listened, they would have understood the devastating impact this closure will have on patients, particularly young families, vulnerable people and those with chronic conditions who rely on timely test results for urgent treatment,” she said.
“Rural communities should not have to fight for the same essential healthcare services that metropolitan areas take for granted.
“Actions speak louder than words, and this closure is a stark reminder that rural communities are being left behind by the NSW Minns Labor Government when it comes to healthcare. If the government were genuinely committed to equitable access to health services, they would be strengthening local hospitals, not stripping them of essential services like pathology.”
Ms Cooke added the decision raises serious questions about whether regional and rural New South Wales is a priority at all.
Ms Cooke’s petition to NSW Parliament is gaining momentum, with almost 6,500 signatures already collected.
“We will not stop until we reach the required 10,000 signatures and members of Parliament hear directly from our communities. I will also be attending one of the upcoming NSW Pathology information sessions alongside community members to seek answers from the government on how they plan to address the significant gaps this closure will create,” she said.
“In the coming week, pathology team members at Young Hospital will be taking strike action in response to this decision, and I will be standing with them in solidarity.
“Additionally, the NSW Minister for Health and Regional Health has agreed to meet with me, the Health Services Union, and pathology staff to hear firsthand the impacts of this reckless decision. I am hopeful that these combined efforts will provide the Minister with the undeniable evidence needed to reverse this decision.”
Ms Cooke assured the people of Cootamundra the fight is far from over, and says she will continue to stand with with her constituents and demand better.
“Our community has shown incredible strength and determination in pushing back against these cuts, and I encourage everyone to keep up the pressure,” she said.
“We must keep fighting for what is fair because no one should have to compromise on healthcare simply because of where they live.”
Community members can register their interest to attend one of the sessions at NSW Health Pathology. Anyone unable to attend a session can submit a question here.
UPDATED: This article was updated to include the correct times of the information sessions that will be held on Monday.
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