A group of Eurobodalla residents is working to secure better health services for the district with the help of community feedback.
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The Eurobodalla Health Service’s Community Representative Committee includes Brad Rossiter as chairman, Christine Smith and Robyn Miller, all volunteers who are using their community links to provide feedback about local health needs.
The committee was formed two years ago and has been the driver behind a long list of health improvements in the Eurobodalla.
In 2011, the group surveyed the Eurobodalla community about various aspects of health service delivery, which highlighted both positive and negative issues.
Through the survey, the need for more oncology and renal space was highlighted – two projects now in the pipeline at the new sub-acute ward at Moruya District Hospital.
“The sub-acute building is nearing completion, which will see an extra 20 beds,” Mr Rossiter said.
Other ideas and needs raised by the committee which have come to fruition include a CT scanner for the radiography department at Moruya, improved signage for visitors to find the health services and, most recently, involvement in the Eurobodalla health care service plan.
Mr Rossiter said the main aim of the committee was to liaise with the community and report back to their monthly meetings with local health district representatives.
“We need to make sure the areas of concentration are those areas of concern by the community,” he said.
“Issues highlighted by our community so far have been ageing, oncology and the renal ward.”
He urged community members who have experienced the local district health service to provide the committee with feedback.
“If people give feedback it will make our local health district as good as possible,” Mr Rossiter said.
“We are a conduit for the community.
“Services and facilities are always improving and hospital services are better.
“Any feedback we get is raised at our meeting and then forwarded to Eurobodalla Health Service general manager Lisa Kennedy who actions it.”
Mr Rossiter said having two hospitals in the Eurobodalla with a population of 37,000 was “fantastic”.
Although most feedback has so far been positive, Mr Rossiter said negative experiences were also welcome.
“Some people have said they are not seen quickly enough at the casualty department but it is a matter of prioritising,” Mr Rossiter said.
The committee is also looking for new members and are calling for expressions of interest.
Community members can comment on their experiences with the local health district or register interest in being on the committee by emailing eurohealth.ideas@
gsahs.health.nsw.gov.au.