The Boorowa community is outraged over a letter written by a senior manager of the Greater Southern Area Health Service (GSAHS) to a member of the nursing staff of Boorowa hospital. Councillor Robert Gledhill raised the matter at the monthly meeting of council on Monday. He moved a recommendation that council approach the new General Manager of GSAHS to request a meeting to discuss the service levels at Boorowa Hospital.

The recommendation comes at a time when there is much community concern over the loss of several highly trained and highly respected nurses from the staff of our hospital.

In reply to Cr Gledhill’s recommendation, Mayor Wendy Tuckerman said that she, too, had been receiving phone calls and was also concerned about the service level.

“I have had a meeting with the Nurse Manager and the previous General Manager of GSAHS,” said Mayor Tuckerman, “In light of community concern and this recommendation from council I will continue to liaise with GSAHS to ensure service levels are maintained.”

Mayor Tuckerman advised that she had received a number of testimonials from the residents of the shire supporting claims of reduced services at the hospital. “I encourage people to write to me with any concerns,” she said.

Mayor Tuckerman has undertaken to approach the new General Manager of GSAHS to present the concerns of the community.

Cr Gledhill says his concern goes back a long way.

“When the hospital burnt down, we fought long and hard to get what we have got now,” he said.

“The quality of our nurses is second to none, but morale at the hospital is as low as it has ever been and apparently no-one up there wants to do anything about it.” Cr Gledhill said.

Cr Gledhill is concerned also about the economic ramifications to the shire, should the hospital crisis continue.

“We have the facilities here to attract retirees to the town,” he said. “The hospital is a vital part of making Boorowa an attractive place to come and live.”

A letter has been sent to the CEO of GSAHS, Heather Gray, requesting an urgent independent investigation into the treatment of staff at the hospital.