Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan has called on the New South Wales Government to address staffing issues at Armidale Hospital’s renal dialysis unit.
Mr Moylan gave a notice of motion in State Parliament on Tuesday, stating:
- Note Armidale Hospital’s renal unit does not have sufficient funded shifts to meet current patient demand, which is forcing patients to travel hundreds of kilometres for dialysis
- Acknowledge the significant burden placed on patients and families by the additional travel
- Calls on the New South Wales Government to urgently fund additional doctors at Armidale Hospital and review patient transport and assistance arrangements, to ensure equitable access to dialysis services in the Northern Tablelands.
The renal unit can only accommodate six chairs at a time with limited availability on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, and full days Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Mr Moylan has been contacted by several patients, forced to travel to Tamworth and Inverell for treatment. This has created significant disruptions to employment, family life and mental health.
Many patients are elderly and need treatment up to three times a week.
Mr Moylan advocates in conjunction with the New England Renal Support Group, which calls for funding for two additional shifts and review of IPTAAS distance thresholds.
The threshold doesn’t allow for reimbursement for travel costs if the distance per appointment is less than 100 kilometres.