WGHG defends Rawson consultation
West Gippsland Healthcare Group has confirmed its community conversation with Rawson residents last week over nursing service changes "provided an important opportunity to hear directly from the community to better understand their experiences and expectations."
Following the, at times, tense meeting, the Gazette sent a series of questions to West Gippsland Healthcare Group (WGHG), who declined to attribute its response to an individual.
The spokesperson said the meeting "reinforced just how important local healthcare services are to the Rawson community."
"It also provided an important opportunity to hear directly from the community to better understand their experiences and expectations, and identify areas for further consideration."
The spokesperson explained the lack of space was due to attendance being "significantly higher" than the number of RSVPs received.
The spokesperson also acknowledged the frustration expressed by several community members over not fully knowing the area's needs.
"WGHG understands the clinical services we currently have in place and have previously provided to community members in Rawson, informed by Nadine and Brooke our podiatrist. However, Wednesday's conversation reinforced the importance of also understanding how community members experience and access WGHG and other services, and what matters most to them," the spokesperson said.
"We recognise there is value in strengthening that understanding, and the feedback received will contribute to the four-week review."
The spokesperson stated the four-week review would consider feedback received from the community as well as information about existing service provision, clinical needs and the scope of district nursing services.
District nursing staff will attend the Rawson Community Health Centre on Wednesday to provide planned clinical care by appointment, with further attendance being determined by patient needs rather than fixed hours.
The spokesperson stressed, however, "the review does not represent a commitment to reinstate previous staffing hours, increase service availability or introduce additional services."
The group also defended its consultation process, saying "WGHG has undertaken a range of communication and engagement activities, including providing information through local healthcare channels, engaging with local representatives and community contacts, and reaching out to community organisations and local media to encourage awareness and participation in the Rawson Community Conversation."
