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SUPPORTERS and clients of Bathurst’s Panorama Clinic have been given their strongest assurance yet that there are no changes planned for the unit’s operation.
Mental Health Minister Kevin Humphries has issued an emphatic statement to the Western Advocate rejecting recent speculation that health management was planning to make the Bathurst Base Hospital clinic a weekdays-only facility.
The single-line statement from the minister simply read: “The Panorama Clinic is not closing and will remain open seven days a week.”
However, following a meeting between the bureaucracy and staff last week, local psychiatrist Andrew Frukacz said staff at the Bathurst Base Hospital inpatient clinic have been given six weeks to get their occupancy levels up and then the matter will be reviewed again.
Dr Frukacz said there has been a tremendous public response, with a large number of people calling his rooms at Anima Clinica in Russell Street since the community learned the clinic was in danger of closing on weekends or being shut down altogether.
He said this support has been very helpful in preparing a case that Panorama must remain open.
The psychiatrist added that there may be a perception that Panorama Clinic is an inpatient facility for Bathurst people only.
In reality, the clinic can take patients from the whole region. It also has an excellent day program.
“We need to see it as a treatment centre for the whole of the Central West,” Dr Frukacz said.
“The bureaucrats are concerned about the low occupancy rate, so widespread community support is vital.”
He said patients without private health insurance should definitely consider Panorama Clinic as an option.
“If the bureaucrats are concerned that it isn’t getting enough use, then we should use it,” he said.
“We have six weeks to show this unit is viable. It’s definitely a case of use it, or lose it.”
Dr Frukacz said he really hopes the whole community will get behind the Panorama Clinic in the same way they embraced and defended Daffodil Cottage.
When Daffodil Cottage was threatened, close to 800 people turned out to send a clear message to the health bureaucrats who wished to close the service. “Hands off Daffodil Cottage,” they shouted.
As a result, then Premier Nathan Rees made a special trip to Bathurst, promising the community that the cottage would not be touched on his watch.
Now Minister Humphries has also made his feelings clear in relation to Panorama Clinic.
Dr Frukacz has decided to create a Mental Health Action Group so patients and their carers can have a voice.
Those who care about mental health issues can become involved by contacting Nadia Zanco at Anima Clinica by writing to info@animaclinica .com.au or by following Anima Clinica’s Facebook page.
