Rural doctors reject findings of Pambula obstetrics report
The Rural Doctors Association of New South Wales (RDA NSW) has labelled the proposed closure of maternity services at Pambula Hospital as an admission of guilt and not a positive step forward for South Coast residents.
Acting President of RDA NSW, Dr Ian Kamerman, said the Association does not accept the findings of the Bega Valley Maternity Services Review report released last week.
The report recommends the closure of the Pambula maternity unit and consolidation of services at Bega Hospital.
"This decision will lead to a loss of four highly skilled rural doctor obstetricians from the bush in a medically isolated region, with one of the fastest growing populations in NSW" Dr Kamerman said.
"It will lead to greater uncertainty for patients and a decline in overall medical services.
"Rural doctors fail to see the logic of closing a maternity unit because of a lack of midwives when the proposed solution will see a loss of two thirds of the obstetricians in the region. The Greater Southern Area Health Service needs to address issues with recruitment of nurses and trained midwives and not use workforce as an excuse to reduce much-needed services.
"The key attraction of rural medicine is the ability to practise continuity of care and the relationship that rural doctors have with their patients and communities.
"RDA NSW does not accept the solution of fly in, fly out, fly by night service delivery to the country. This model is costly, ineffective and does not promote a commitment to patients or the community. The notion that trained rural specialist or non specialist obstetricians can be plucked from the air to increase capacity is fanciful.
"As acting President of RDA NSW, I am writing to the NSW Health Minister asking that this decision to close obstetrics at Pambula Hospital be overturned."
Available for interview: Acting RDA NSW President, Dr Ian Kamerman, on 0427 241 900.
RDA NSW Secretary, Dr Paul Mara, on 0412 486 536.
Local Pambula doctor, Dr Rob Morton, on 0428 246 903.
Alternative media contact: Patrick Daley on 0408 004 890.