River Cares spokesperson Robyn Downham says the Lower Hawkesbury is always overlooked when it comes to community health.
“I was recently at a Kariong-Somersby Rotary Club breakfast where Member for Robertson Gordon Reid was discussing the new Urgent Care Clinic at Umina Beach and the plans for another on the northern part of the Central Coast LGA.
“I raised the question at the time, as to the possibility of another Medicare UCC to be installed west of the motorway (ie Mangrove Mountain).
“Dr Reid saw the logic in this but apparently we do not have the population to warrant a Medicare UCC in this area and he feels that the two medical practices in Mangrove Mountain are sufficient.
“Therefore, the residents in the Mangrove Mountain and surrounding districts have to continue to make the time-consuming trip to either Gosford or Wyong hospitals for urgent and/or acute treatment and have to wait long hours in the emergency department.
“Why does this part of the Central Coast LGA always get overlooked or never considered in significant matters such as this?
“Our Local District nurse retired early this year and to date we still have no replacement.
“I brought this to Dr Reid’s attention when we were having a confidential discussion at a meeting held on July 4.
“This is extremely worrying.
“Already eight long-standing members of the community have died this year.
“The previous district nurse, Robyn, was fantastic and served our community for 12 years and went far beyond her call of duty
“Robyn was a dedicated nurse who also wore various other hats such as counsellor, OH & S officer and friend, and is sadly missed.”
Downham said the area had also lost services such as Uniting Care and Baptist Care because of its isolated location.
“Out of a population of 450 people living in Spencer and Gunderman we have a predominantly ageing community needing assistance in transport for shopping and doctors appointments, domestic and personal care,” she said.
“We are desperately trying to attract more services to the area such as Mabel and Peppercorn.”