To Close the Pathology Laboratory at the Cootamundra Hospital
NSW Health Pathology (NSWHP) will continue to deliver a modern, high-quality and sustainable pathology service for Cootamundra using the latest technology via their statewide network. That is if you could believe a word they say.
Residents have been fighting for months to retain services in Cootamundra and it’s the first few nails in the coffin for health services, while across the border in the neighbouring Council of Temora, a brand new hospital will be built at a cost of some $95 million dollars.
The media release states, “The Cootamundra community will not experience any change to its hospital and community pathology collection services when laboratory work is transitioned to an expanded laboratory service in Young during the coming months. All staff currently working in Cootamundra laboratory will be offered roles in Young.”
This will add a round trip of 5 days a week of just shy of 500 kilometres to staff travelling from Coota.
The release continues, “The expanded Young laboratory will have extended operating hours into the weekends to meet clinical demand and minimise call-backs when staff undertake urgent testing after hours. Currently, the majority of samples taken in Cootamundra require transfer to Sydney or Wagga for testing. This expansion of services will allow for the opportunity for more testing to be undertaken within the local region at the Young laboratory.”
According to the statement, “NSWHP is working with Murrumbidgee Local Health District to ensure the transition of laboratory services will have no impact on services at Cootamundra Health Service, including maternity and surgical services.
The transition will provide new technology, faster testing and a range of benefits for Cootamundra Health Service’s emergency department including:
• Enhanced Point of Care testing capabilities at Cootamundra for urgent, on-site testing, including new full blood count technology.
• Increased courier runs between Cootamundra and the expanded laboratory at Young to support same-day testing.
• Ensuring emergency blood products and blood transfusion services remain available locally for emergency responses and services like the emergency department, maternity and surgery.”
NSWHP Chief Executive Vanessa Janissen said, “We have consulted with local clinical teams, hospital and pathology staff, the local health advisory committee and community leaders over several months.”
However, it’s clear that the local community is unhappy, picketing the Pathology Service late last year with local member Steph Cooke and representative from the union alongside locals.
“After careful deliberation, we have determined a regional networked service model and enhanced local point of care testing is the best way forward to ensure the people of Cootamundra have improved access to the highest quality care.
“I want to reassure the community the decision will help ensure Cootamundra continues to have access to the most advanced testing and laboratory services.
“Local residents will not experience any change to the care they receive. They will still be able to access pathology collection services in Cootamundra and our laboratory staff will provide high quality, accurate and reliable pathology testing at an expanded laboratory service in Young.
“We value our dedicated and skilled laboratory staff at Cootamundra and Young and we will work with each staff member regarding their individual circumstances to ensure they are fully supported during this transition over the coming months.”
Local Member Steph Cooke said, “NSW Pathology, with the full knowledge and support of Minister Park, intends to close the Pathology Laboratory at the Cootamundra Hospital. Mayor Abb McAlister and I have asked the CEO Vanessa Janissen to come to Cootamundra and meet with the whole community and explain this decision. I will keep the community updated as this meeting takes shape. We have 6 months until the changes are implemented and we must push on with our petition to the NSW Parliament. If you haven’t already signed it, please help us all by doing so. Finally I want to express my support for the amazing staff at Cootamundra Pathology who I know are evastated by these actions. We stand with you.”
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