THE Bulahdelah community has been fighting for improved medical services for many years.

The closure of the local hospital, nursing home and restricted access to GPs has made it difficult for the community to access even simple medical procedures.

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Many travel over an hour’s drive north or south to access medical services and procedures.

In a Local Government Area that contains the oldest demographic in Australia, such limited access to healthcare places a strain on the elderly and their families with distances to travel and time, monetary and employment considerations.

“Being in the centre of the LGA, Bulahdelah would be a natural centre for the provision of many medical services,” said Ann-Marie Barry, a member of the Bulahdelah and District Health Action Group.

“I’ve spent over a decade traveling some distance to hospitals and I think those in the southern area of the LGA deserve better.

“We have existing facilities that could be utilised to provide better needed services,” said Mrs Barry.

The recent allocation of funding in the State Budget to expand the services of the Manning Base Hospital has been welcomed by the community.

State member for Myall Lakes Tanya Thompson said, “I am thrilled to see the reallocation of $100 million for Stage 2 of the Manning Hospital Redevelopment in this year’s budget.

“Improved health services including infrastructure has been my top priority, and I have fought to have this funding reallocated in the 2023/24 Budget.”

However, funding for a public hospital at Forster has been overlooked by the current government.

It is anticipated that future funding will be allocated to the electorates on the basis of need.

By John SAHYOUN