The Eurobodalla Shire cannot wait for a new hospital before services are improved, a surgeon says.
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Dr Michael Holland has called on the NSW Health Department to immediately improve services to the shire's hospitals.
Acknowledging the NSW Government's commitment of $150 million to build a tier four regional hospital at an undetermined site, Dr Holland said patients could not wait for improvements.
"There has been no improvement to the Accident & Emergency, Critical Care and Perioperative services within the Eurobodalla Health Service," Dr Holland said.
"The Accident & Emergency Departments continue to struggle with the largest number of presentations in the South East NSW Local Health District."
Dr Holland said a 2017 review called for a "close observation unit" for Moruya Hospital, but no action was taken.
"This has resulted in the limitation of services to local patients, requiring transfer outside the Eurobodalla and jeopardising patient safety," he said.
"At this time, there has been no announcement of the site of the new hospital and, more disturbing, no date for the commencement of the project."
In 2018, Dr Holland and supporters gathered thousands of signatures on a petition calling for a new hospital. They have launched another petition calling for a tier four service to be operating by 2023.
"The population of the Eurobodalla exceeds that of neighbouring regions whose hospitals already provide level 4 services," Dr Holland said.
"The Eurobodalla Health Services provides medical, surgical, emergency and maternity services in excess of those provided by neighbouring hospitals which provide level 4 services.
"It is an ethical issue of justice and autonomy to provide these equal services to the population of the Eurobodalla.
"The commencement of work on the single new Eurobodalla hospital needs to occur as soon as possible."