ACCESS to healthcare is at the heart of an independent review into the Wee Waa health services announced today by Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park and Member for Barwon Roy Butler.

The independent review will be led by subject matter experts and focus on the current and former service models and make recommendations to ensure residents can access safe, sustainable services now and in the future.

The group will be comprised of independent experts with a range of experience across in nursing, midwifery, safety, aboriginal, and rural and regional health areas.

The review will consider the health needs of the local community, workforce recruitment and retention, decisions around services and models of care.

The review is expected to begin next month and deliver a report to Government in mid-2025.

This announcement follows the introduction a bill to the NSW Parliament last week by Member for Barwon Roy Butler to consider splitting the Hunter New England Local Health District

This bill secured NSW Government support to refer it to an inquiry and the Parliamentary Committee for community services will now investigate the matter.

Narrabri Shie mayor Darrell Tiemens (far left) in Sydney on Thursday with supporters, gathering signatures for a petition to save Wee Waa Hospital. “We are still firmly focused on the hospital reopening. While the inquiry is very welcome, the immediate re-opening of the Wee Waa Hospital with 24/7 emergency support and doctors is our primary concern,” Cr Tiemens said.

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park said it was important the Wee Waa community has access to health care services.

“This independent review is about making sure we’re getting to the bottom of that,” Mr Park said.

“Improving access to care in our regional, rural and remote communities is one of my key priorities as Regional Health Minister and today’s announcement is an important milestone for healthcare in the Wee Waa community.

“I would like to thank the Member for Barwon Roy Butler for his advocacy in ensuring the voices of Wee Waa residents are at the forefront of shaping future health initiatives.”

Member for Barwon Roy Butler acknowledged the minister has been unwavering in his support for the restoration of health services at Wee Waa Hospital.

“For the people who depend upon access to services at Wee Waa Hospital this situation has been going on for far too long,” Mr Butler said.

“The independent review, and the separate parliamentary inquiry, will examine the decision-making processes of the Hunter New England Local Health District executive that led to the current reduction in services and provide a roadmap for the restoration of health services at Wee Waa Hospital.

“I strongly urge the Hunter New England Local Health District to engage openly in both processes, in the interim I encourage the local health district to fill the vacant nursing and VMO positions at Wee Waa Hospital.”

Narrabri Shire mayor Darrell Tiemens was in Sydney on Thursday, collecting signatures for a petition to save Wee Waa Hospital.

“We are still firmly focused on the hospital reopening. While the inquiry is very welcome, the immediate re-opening of the Wee Waa Hospital with 24/7 emergency support and doctors is our primary concern,” Cr Tiemens said.