AN online petition to save Wee Waa Hospital has gained more than 3000 signatures, with at least 7000 more needed for the issue to be debated in NSW parliament.

The hospital, with 10 wards and 18 beds, is grossly understaffed, with locals fearing plans are in place to close the facility.

There is an unused palliative care ward with state-of-the-art equipment, and surgery and maternity services have been removed.

The hospital is also without a resident doctor.

If the hospital closes, as feared, Wee Waa locals seeking medical attention will need to travel to Narrabri, about 50 kilometres away.

Alternatively, they’ll be referred to other hospitals across New South Wales.

An online petition has been organised at Save Wee Waa Hospital, with the Wee Waa Hospital Working Group also encouraging petitioners to email NSW Minister for Health, Ryan Park ([email protected]) and Hunter New England Local Health District chief executive, Tracey McCosker ([email protected]).

“With no assigned doctors, no after-hours emergency care, and no patients in its wards, it is hard to shake the feeling that Hunter New England Health has every intention of shutting this hospital down,” the working group said.

“Every day in delay is a potential life lost or illnesses made worse.”

A public rally on the grounds of the hospital was held last week, the second in as many months, with hundreds of locals demanding access to the facility.

Concerned NSW citizens are asked to sign the Save Wee Waa Hospital petition, in person or online (Image: Wee Waa Hospital Working Group).

Narrabri Shire mayor Darrell Tiemens said in a media statement at the time of the first rally, the Wee Waa community is not asking for facilities like Royal North Shore Hospital.

“But they do expect a fully operational hospital offering 24/7 emergency services, inpatient care, and palliative services,” Cr Tiemens said.

“The Narrabri Shire and its residents significantly contribute to the economy, and it is not unreasonable for the community to expect that these contributions are acknowledged through the provision of services such as those being sought after at the Wee Waa Hospital.

“The hospital is a vital community service that is relied upon by residents from Wee Waa, Rowena, Pilliga, Cuttabri, Burren Junction, Merah North, Spring Plains, and beyond,” he said.

“And, when it is functioning at its full capacity, it ensures there is not an additional strain on Narrabri Hospital.

“The local community has poured its time, effort, and resources into fundraising for the hospital over many decades, so they rightly feel this is their hospital, a community asset, and not just a facility owned by the State,” he said.

State member for Barwon Roy Butler said online the situation was “an absolute disgrace”.

“The hospital has been on reduced hours and reduced services since May, 2023,” Mr Butler said.

“The Hunter New England Health District should hold its head in shame. It’s absolutely unacceptable that they have not filled these positions, and from the outside looking in, they are showing no sense of urgency to fill positions or services that are desperately needed,” he said.

Mr Butler said the NSW Minister for Health, Ryan Park, has committed in writing that the facility will not close.

“He wants to see it return to 24/7 operations, with all services restored and, in fact, grow the services that are available in the hospital,” Mr Butler said.

“I’ll continue to work with the minister and the Wee Waa Hospital working group to get the hospital open by Hunter New England Health filling the positions they are obliged to fill.

“I’ll also be raising the need for a restructure of Hunter New England Health District,” he said.

“We know the people on the coast seem to get their positions filled, their hospitals open and their services available.

“Places like John Hunter Hospital don’t seem to have any problems providing services.

“It seems, places the west of the divide get neglected and end up with staff shortages and reduced services. That needs to change.

“The western part of the Hunter New England Health District – west of the Great Divide – needs to be its own health district with its own management structure that is only focused on providing services to regional people,” Mr Butler said.

In a statement to Mr Butler, NSW Health Minister, Ryan Park, said: “ I want to make it clear that we are absolutely committed to health services in and around Wee Waa, including the Wee Waa Hospital.

“The local health district continues to recruit for staff as well as offer incentives for those who join our rural and regional health services.

“We remain committed to restoring and increasing health services in the Wee Waa community.

“I will continue to work with local member Roy Butler to get this situation resolved,” he said.

Save Wee Waa Hospital

New South Wales residents can sign the petition here Save Wee Waa Hospital.

The Wee Waa Hospital Working Group also encourages petitioners to email their concerns.

NSW Minister for Health, Ryan Park: [email protected]

Hunter New England Local Health District chief executive, Tracey McCosker: [email protected]