Forbes mayor Phyllis Miller is seeking a meeting with the state’s health minister to address community concern about the potential transfer of hospital services from Forbes to Parkes.
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Cr Miller says she has been approached by Forbes residents and health professionals who have concerns some services will be downgraded at the redeveloped Forbes hospital.
She is seeking assurance from NSW health minister Jillian Skinner that Forbes will retain pathology and sterilisation services.
“Over the past couple of months significant community representation has been made to me in respect to some of the services being downgraded at the Forbes District Hospital,” Cr Miller said.
Cr Miller said former local member Troy Grant had committed to maintain all current services at the redeveloped Forbes health campus, however the rumours she had heard had come from credible sources.
“After a number of meetings with community members and health professionals, it seems there is a mindset that the new Parkes Hospital should have enhanced services at the demise of Forbes,” she said.
“I don’t make this accusation lightly but based on the information presented to me I am unable to assume otherwise, which is why I want to meet with Mrs Skinner and our local member, Andrew Gee, to clarify this information.
“While some of this may be rumour, in my experience where there is smoke there is fire. It is my role as mayor to listen to my constituents and make representation on their behalf, particularly where there is a broad community impact.”
Mayor Miller said Forbes Shire Council had worked hard to secure health services would be maintained at the redeveloped hospital.
“As a community, we have not sat on our hands when it comes to our health,” she said.
“We were assured when the hospital was first being built that we would be maintaining all of our services. The wonderful refurbishment and rebuild of the hospital is coming along nicely, and we just want to make sure we won’t be losing any services.”
Cr Miller said Forbes Shire Council did not want to compete with Parkes when it comes to health.
“This is not a beef between Forbes and Parkes,” she said. “Both towns are entitled to the same level of service when it comes to health.”
