Renal decision not political

I write in response to Cr Brian Mullany’s Letter to the Editor (Page 2, Young Witness, May 20, 2015).

As the local member, on behalf of many Young residents, I first raised the need for a renal unit in Young by making representations to the Minister for Health in 2007.

Over the next two years I wrote many letters to successive Ministers for Health about this need.

I also raised questions in Parliament in May 2009 and spoke about the need for dialysis in Parliament on several occasions.

I was very pleased when the then Greater Southern Area Health Service announced that it was investigating the possibility of establishing a self-managed renal dialysis service in Young in mid-July 2009.

A major part of the funding for the unit was provided through donations and hard work of the community of Young. And what a fantastic effort it was.

The Young Self Care Renal Dialysis Unit was opened in August 2012, providing the community with a facility for suitable patients to have renal dialysis treatment in their home town.

The NSW Government is committed to ensuring rural communities have access to quality health services closer to home and Young’s self-dialysis service for eligible patients will remain.

Our region will share in a new satellite dialysis service at Cowra Hospital, with construction set to begin soon.

With an hour drive ahead of them, I know the journey from Young to Cowra may not always be convenient. 

But it means Young patients will no longer have to continue travelling for two hours to Canberra or Queanbeyan for treatment.

The NSW Government’s changes to the Isolated Patient Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme will mean patients travelling 200km a week cumulatively can claim 22c per litre of fuel (as of September 2015) – an increase from the current 19 cents per litre.

I understand the Young community’s concerns and I know the Murrumbidgee Local Health District will continue to look at the demand for renal service in our region to plan future services.

Looking at the demand for dialysis across the region generally, it is my understanding that Cowra was considered the most logical, convenient location given current demand to establish the new satellite service, allowing fairer access and reduced travel time to more patients across a broader region. 

This decision was not political.

I understand the Murrumbidgee Local Health District has looked at the feasibility of establishing a renal care centre in Young in addition to the existing self-managed renal dialysis unit, and I’m assured they will continue exploring this concept.

Katrina Hodgkinson MP

Member for Cootamundra Parliamentary Secretary for Southern NSW