TAMWORTH ELECTORATE HEALTH SURVEY

Mr PETER DRAPER (Tamworth) [5.56 p.m.]: Tonight I draw the attention of honourable members to the results of a health survey I recently conducted across the electorate of Tamworth. My survey was undertaken at a similar time to a questionnaire sent to constituents in the electorate of Northern Tablelands by my colleague Richard Torbay. Both were developed to gauge public perception regarding availability and delivery of local health services. All communities within both electorates are included in the Hunter-New England Area Health Service boundaries, so it will be interesting to compare the results.

The main areas of concern indicated by the many respondents in my area were as anticipated, with almost one-third expressing concern about a shortage of doctors and specialists. Many, particularly those from smaller towns, were waiting anywhere from two weeks to six months to see their local general practitioner [GP], while a large proportion of these people were forced to travel to larger centres that have increased resources to obtain an appointment. The problem is most prevalent in Gunnedah, a town of 10,000 residents that is located 80 kilometres west of Tamworth. Many respondents reported a severe shortage of GPs in the town, resulting in people who wished to see a GP often forced to queue outside doctors' surgeries from 6.00 a.m. to secure their appointment. This is an extremely concerning situation, given the large number of elderly residents living in Gunnedah. While city members of Parliament may not relate to this experience, I am certain that most members from country electorates see a similar scenario played out in their regional areas.

Not only do long-time residents face great difficulty accessing a doctor; people choosing to leave Sydney or other major centres to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of country life often find that doctors will not accept them as new patients. Many incidents were reported where new residents moving to Manilla, Barraba, Gunnedah and Tamworth found that local GPs had closed their books to new patients because their workload was already too large to properly service their existing patients. One elderly couple who moved to the electorate from a coastal centre were very distressed to discover they could not access a GP in Tamworth. As a result they were considering moving back to their previous location. A similar situation occurs when a doctor leaves town. Should a replacement not be found quickly that doctor's patients are often forced to wait until a new doctor arrives.

This critical doctor shortage has forced a number of residents with young families to move to larger centres where health resources are more prevalent. Many mothers detailed their experiences trying to get a young baby with a fever to see a doctor, but because of delays in obtaining an appointment they were forced to wait for many hours at the hospital emergency department. Recently my wife took one of our children to the emergency department in the middle of the night where, after a substantial wait, she received a diagnosis of croup. Unfortunately the hospital had run out of the relevant medicine so they had to come home with instructions to return should the condition worsen.

The shortage of specialists is an area of concern raised by many people. Respondents detailed their experiences trying to access a specialist after being referred by a doctor.

Having already waited weeks or longer to access their general practitioner, delays of three to 12 months were reported as common to access a specialist. Such long periods, while being inconvenient, also created a great deal of anxiety for the patient, particularly when waiting for a diagnosis of a potentially life threatening conditions such as cancer. Delayed diagnosis and treatment may increase the risk of a condition worsening. To reduce such risk and associated anxiety many residents travelled to larger centres like Sydney and Newcastle, which is a costly exercise given the record high fuel prices. For many elderly residents who lack the mobility, transport or funds to make such a journey, they had no option but to wait. Dental services need immediate attention. A large number of elderly respondents expressed concern about the difficulty in accessing public dental services, and also the quality of those services. One gentleman who had been waiting 12 months to have his broken dentures replaced was recently advised that it would be a further two years before they would be fixed. It is unacceptable to wait so long for an essential procedure. Nobody should be expected to live with such a problem for so long. The only other option for this person was a private dentist, but because he is a pensioner he could not afford one.

People are very pleased that a medical school will be developed at the University of New England. Some 300 doctors and 190 specialist nurses will be trained in rural medicine at any one time once the program is up and running. They are also pleased that both Tamworth and Armidale hospitals will be redeveloped to a teaching standard, which will help to overcome many of the current concerns about the provision of health care in the community. The issues I have raised today are snapshots of problems being experienced by people across country New South Wales. They highlight an urgent need to address shortfalls in a system that is failing its constituency. I will continue to work with my independent colleagues including the honourable member for Northern Tablelands to obtain better health outcomes for country people. I note the support of the Parliamentary Secretary at the table, the honourable member for Canterbury. She lives in an inner-city electorate and quite possibly does not experience the challenges that people in country areas face on a daily basis. This situation is of great concern to people who choose to live outside metropolitan areas. I would appreciate the support of the Government in helping to address it.

Ms LINDA BURNEY (Canterbury—Parliamentary Secretary) [6.01 p.m.]: I will take forward the issues the honourable member for Tamworth has raised. Members on this side of the House from country regions often raise the same concerns. Dental services are urgent. I undertake to take those two issues forward.

Proof, NSW Legislative Assembly Hansard, 31 August 2006.