WHY does Cooma hospital as the major hospital for the Snowy Mountains region, not have a paediatric outpatient service and why is it not set up for paediatric overnight admissions? After a health scare involving her toddler son, Jindabyne's Rachelle Edwards began an online petition highlighting the need for 24-hour healthcare services in Jindabyne and improved paediatric services at Cooma Hospital. A Southern NSW Local Health District (SNSWLHD) spokesperson told The Monaro Post there were no current plans to relocate Cooma hospital, or to change Jindabyne HealthOne’s opening hours. “SNSWLHD regularly reviews District and local clinical services plans to ensure communities have access to safe, high-quality care as close to home as possible,” the spokesperson said. “All facilities across our District are fully networked and operate within a tiered system to ensure all patients receive safe, timely and compassionate care in the most appropriate setting. “Cooma Hospital currently provides high quality paediatric care through the emergency department and has pathways in place for specialist consultations where needed. “Paediatric service capabilities are regularly reviewed at Cooma Hospital, in consultation with staff, to look for opportunities for expansion or improvement.” The region is serviced by the 41-bed Cooma hospital, two medical centres in Jindabyne, three in Cooma, one in Berridale , one in Bombala and the small Bombala hospital, which includes a 24-hour accident and emergency department. Patients needing higher level care are sent to Bega or Canberra, both approximately two hours’ drive away. Story continued on page five
