HUNDREDS of concerned community members gathered to discuss the future of Bathurst Base Hospital at a public forum held at Bathurst Panthers on Monday night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The forum organised by the Bathurst branch of the NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association, gave residents the chance to question a panel of health and community leaders about the impact proposed bed, service and staff cuts would have on the community.
Secretary Cathy O'Neil said she was delighted with the overwhelming community support to postpone all cuts at the hospital, including the closure of five medical beds, until an independent review takes place this month.
However Western NSW Local Health District chief executive Scott McLachlan and Bathurst Base Hospital general manager David Wright would not promise to reconsider the decision to close the five medical beds next Monday.
"Even though the public all supported no closures until the review they haven't really listened to what they want, the beds are still set to close," Ms O'Neil said.
She added the nurses had fought very hard against the cuts and hoped management would take on board the proposal from the community and rethink the decision before it was too late.
