Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke is thrilled to announce that Cootamundra Hospital’s Pathology Laboratory will remain open following a successful campaign to save the facility from its impending closure.
Minister for Health and Regional Health, Ryan Park has confirmed that a previous decision to shut down the NSW Pathology service in Cootamundra and reallocate resources and staff to the Young Health Service has been axed.
“I thank staff, the Health Services Union, the local community and NSW Pathology for bringing this to my attention and working to resolve this matter," Mr Park said.
“It means the community can access pathology services more quickly and closer to home.
“It provides staff and the community with certainty.”
Despite reversing this decision, Cootamundra Hospital will retain Point of Care Testing technology, which enable staff to undertake diagnosis testing on location more quickly.
The announcement coincides with Ms Cooke’s Rural Health Service petition meeting the requirement of 10,000 signatures for the matter to be debated in the NSW Parliament.
“This is truly a fantastic outcome for this growing community who need and deserve access to life-saving health services,” Ms Cooke said.
“After six months of advocacy, I want to thank the Minister for coming to the table and for reversing a decision which placed the health and wellbeing of Cootamundra’s residents at risk.”  
More than 10,000 people have signed the Rural Health Service petition following inadequate community consultation relating to the Murrumbidgee Local Health District’s Draft Health Service Plan for Cootamundra Hospital. 
The initiative, led by Ms Cooke, was strongly supported by members of the community and local organisations such as Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council.
Mayor, Cr Abb McAlister has thanked Ms Cooke for her advocacy, as well as Minister Park and CEO of NSW Health Pathology, Vanessa Janissen for putting the needs of the community at the forefront of their decision-making.
“We’re grateful that NSW Health Pathology and Ms Janissen took the time to come to Cootamundra and truly listen to the concerns of our community,” Mr McAlister said.
“The opening of the abattoir has seen Cootamundra only grow and because of that, certainty around our health services has never been more important.”
The Rural Health Services petition will be tabled in the NSW Parliament next week, as it also calls for the return of essential drugs and equipment to non-category A and B ambulance station and vehicles.
“While I’m thrilled that Cootamundra’s pathology lab has been saved, the fight to keep other important resources in our rural communities doesn’t stop,” Ms Cooke said.
“Thank you to everyone that made the tabling of this petition possible and proved just how powerful the voices of rural communities are.”
Health Services Union secretary Gerard Hayes has thanked the Minister following the announcement.
“I thank the Health Minister for meeting with the Health Services Union and our members at Young and Cootamundra Pathology to listen and act on their concerns with the proposal to relocate pathology services from Cootamundra to Young," Mr Hayes said.
“This is a major win for the community of Cootamundra and surrounds.
“Regional New South Wales deserves access to quality and timely care, and thanks to this decision they will.”