BREAKING: All health services at Cohuna District Hospital – including obstetrics – are back in operation.
Following a decision this morning by Cohuna’s doctors – led by general practitioner, Dr Peter Barker – to protest the withdrawal of obstetrics services to the hospital, the Department of Health and Human Services has intervened.
The department and Echuca Regional Health – which manages Cohuna’s hospital – have developed an on-call roster system to ensure Dr Barker, who is the town’s sole general practitioner obstetrician, receives suitable assistance.
“It was a long four hours [between the walk-off and the announcement of the agreement],” he said.
“[The issue] is completely resolved.”
Earlier in the day, Dr Barker told a crowd of staff and supporters that staff were told they would have to go on bypass to Echuca, meaning they would have to refer all patients there for treatment, but that they were not given a reason.
The announcement followed on from days of lobbying – including a protest at Garden Park on Wednesday, which attracted more than 200 people – after it was revealed that Dr Barker would have to cease obstetrics services.
* For full coverage and reactions, see the November 21 issue of the Gannawarra Times.
