TWO of Bathurst's candidates for the upcoming state election have shown their support for keeping the Panorama Clinic open 365 days a year.
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Last month it came to light that both the clinic, which is a psychiatric unit at Bathurst Base Hospital, and the community mental health had closed for two weeks at the end of 2018.
Councillor Alex Christian, a passionate advocate for mental health, has demanded that the candidates speak publicly on the closure and said that is should be a key issue of this election.
Shooters, Fishers and Farmers candidate Brenden May agreed it should be an election issue and labelled the closure "disgusting".
He said it had been a month since the closure was discussed in the media and nothing had been done to guarantee it would not close again at the end of 2019.
"I think Paul Toole should respond or resign. He has known about this and, from what I understand, the closure of the clinic and mental health facilities, has occurred two to three years in a row at Christmas time," Mr May said.
"It is completely unacceptable."
- WATCH: Brenden May discusses Panorama Clinic closure with mental health advocate Vanessa Comisky.
The candidate said that, with the drought, the mental state of farmers had declined and they, key constituents of the electorate, were being further disadvantaged with the closure of the facility.
He said that, if he were in Mr Toole's position, he would be contacting the relevant people, seeking additional funding if required and ensuring there is a 24-hour service available for people with mental health problems moving forward.
Labor's candidate, Beau Riley was of a similar view.
He said Mr Toole should be putting pressure on the Liberal Party and the Nationals, just as he himself had been putting pressure on the ALP to ensure the mental health facilities in Bathurst remained open over Christmas time.
"This is absolutely an election issue. I know that because I have been door-knocking and people are telling me. They are very concerned about the closure," Mr Riley said.
Discussing the closure itself, Mr Riley said it not only impacted those with mental health issues that needed help, but also put a strain on other services that weren't equipped to help.
"Speaking to other emergency services, they are concerned about the flow-on effect," he said.
"Ultimately, people can die from this."
Mr Riley has attempted to organise a meeting with the hospital management and, should one be arranged, he will be raising the issue of the mental health service closures.
In a previous statement to the Western Advocate, the Western NSW Local Health District's Jason Crisp said patients were given “information, support and appropriate alternate treatment and care if required” prior to the closure period.
He said a decision about closing in 2019 will be made closer to Christmas time and be based on the needs of the consumers.
