NARRABRI Shire mayor, Darrell Tiemens, has welcomed the release of the final report from the NSW Legislative Assembly Select Committee on Remote, Rural and Regional Health.

Cr Tiemens says the report shines a light on the systemic challenges facing regional healthcare and highlights the pressing need to address long-standing governance issues.

The report identifies ongoing gaps in service delivery, a lack of co-ordinated funding and growing frustrations from communities who feel sidelined in decisions that affect their access to healthcare.

It also points to repeated breakdowns in relationships between local communities and their Local Health Districts, and highlights how demarcation disputes between agencies and levels of government are leaving critical responsibilities unresolved.

“One of the clearest messages in this report is that communities are still feeling shut out of decisions about their local health services,” Cr Tiemens said.

“We continue to see real tension and confusion between LHDs and the people they serve. This needs to change.”

The report recommends establishing an independent NSW Remote, Rural and Regional Health Commissioner to oversee reforms, ensure transparency and act as a strong advocate for country communities.

Narrabri Shire mayor Darrell Tiemens addresses the media at a rally in January to save Wee Waa Hospital.

It also calls for mandatory and meaningful community consultation to be built into LHD service planning.

Cr Tiemens said this is essential.

“Unless local voices are genuinely involved from the outset, the mistrust and misalignment we have seen will continue. Communities need to be part of shaping the services they rely on,” he said.

The report also proposes long-term reforms to primary care funding, including replacing the short-term, fee-for-service model with pooled funding arrangements that allow more flexibility and sustainability.

“This is a constructive, balanced report that reflects both the frustration and the goodwill of rural communities,” Cr Tiemens said.

“It is time for government agencies to work together rather than argue over who is responsible.”

Mayor Tiemens thanked the Committee for its work and recognised the many community members, including those from Narrabri Shire, who contributed.

“This report captures the challenges we live with daily,” Cr Tiemens said.

“Now it is up to NSW Health and the State Government to take action – and to do so alongside us, not above us.”

Read the final report here: NSW Legislative Assembly Select Committee on Remote, Rural and Regional Health Report