Following initial consultations and feedback from staff and the community, the Northern NSW Local Health District is deferring any decision on reconfiguring wards at Maclean District Hospital, and setting up a new Maclean Community Advisory Group to help steer plans for local healthcare services.
Chief Executive Wayne Jones said the District is establishing the group to provide input into the ward reconfiguration proposal, as well as future plans for healthcare in the area, following feedback which showed the community was keen to be more involved in planning and reviewing local health services.
“I want to thank the community and our staff for their input and involvement over the last few weeks,” Mr Jones said.
“It’s clear that the Maclean community wants to be more involved with the plans for their local hospital.
“We have listened to what the community and our staff have had to say and we acknowledge that we need to improve our consultation processes.
“We will delay any decisions around the proposed reconfiguration of wards at the hospital until the community has had further opportunity to provide input.”
The Maclean Community Advisory Group will include local residents and it is hoped membership will reflect the diversity of the Maclean community. The group will be similar to the already established Clarence Community Advisory Group, which was formed in July 2019.
Mr Jones said the Maclean Community Advisory Group will provide a dedicated forum for regular discussion with, and input from, the local community.
“This new advisory group will enable our Local Health District to engage effectively with the Maclean community about local healthcare needs and services, both in the short and long term,” Mr Jones said.
“The new advisory group will provide a great opportunity for local people to represent their community and be involved in health planning, as well as gain a more in-depth understanding of the hospital system.”
As with other community advisory groups recently established around the District, applications for the Maclean group will be by Expression of Interest, and will be advertised shortly through local media, the NNSWLHD website and social media.
Due to any decisions being deferred, and the creation of the new community advisory group, the District will not hold a further community consultation this week.