The Western Advocate revealed last week that the imminent closure of the seating clinic and Program of Appliances for Disabled People represented a double blow for local disabled people and their carers.

And while many clients had been resigned to losing the PADP, the seating clinic closure came as a major shock as it had been included in the hospital’s redevelopment plans until a month ago.

The Greater Western Area Health Service has now admitted skyrocketing costs were one of the factors that led to the decision to look at a new model for the service.

Acting director of health services operations Lynne Weir said the projected cost of the project was between $300,000 and $400,000, however, as services were being reviewed across the area it was revealed this amount would quadruple.

“The whole heritage redevelopment is based on funding,” she said.

“Certainly cost was a consideration when we were looking at the best way to deliver these services. There were other models we believed were more effective.”

She added these other considerations included the fact that the seating clinic only serviced clients in the Bathurst area.

Its uniqueness also worked against it because it seemed unfair that Bathurst should have this service when other regions did not.

“This brings Bathurst in line with the rest of the state,” Ms Weir said.

PADP and seating clinic clients were reeling this week because the first they heard of the closures was when they were contacted by the Western Advocate.

The area health service representatives said the decision to make the announcement just weeks before the “transition” was made by EnableNSW.

Letters will be sent out over the next two weeks advising clients of the changes.

Ms Weir and acting director of corporate services Belle Mangan said occupational therapists from the PADP and seating clinic would be used to train up other OTs across the Greater Western region so all can benefit from their expertise.

They said this should ultimately reduce the waiting time for assessments.

Ms Weir said centralising the funding body would ensure more money was available for service provision because less would be spent on administration in centres like Bathurst, Dubbo and Broken Hill.

She said clients would also have a greater range of wheelchairs available to them, along with the benefit of home visits. Buying equipment in bulk will result in better deals.

EnableNSW has assured GWAHS they will try to act within 24 hours in an emergency. She said seating clinic clients would be able to approach local repairers if they have an urgent problem with their wheelchairs.

Ms Mangan said a review of the service, which led to the ultimate decision to transfer it, was undertaken in 2006.

“Lynne and I have been working for the last few months to determine what will be the best overall service across Greater Western,” she said.

“Bathurst was in a unique situation. Now the whole service will be much better.”