Residents support hospital funding drive

A petition to support an injection of $2.5 million of funding for the hospital was signed by about 600 residents in five hours on Thursday, February 14. Dozens more have said they will attend a meeting on Wednesday, February 20 to discuss the hospital.

"We as a community need a firm and binding commitment from all political parties that the required funding of $2.5 million will be forthcoming," said Floyd Davies in a letter to the Gazette. 

"The biggest ongoing concern to Upper Lachlan Shire residents has consistently been the future of the Crookwell District Hospital. 

"No Crookwell and district resident wants to see the headline that states proposed changes to Crookwell District Hospital. 

"What we want to see is a headline that states a guaranteed future for the hospital and most importantly the upgrades to the emergency department.

"Regardless of what political party is in power, we as Crookwell and district residents need some surety of our hospital’s future."

Crookwell Taralga Aged Care chief executive Jo Boyce said the facility had a vital role in care management and next point of care, as well as providing a range of services for residents and clients of the aged care provider.

"Access to local emergency health care is essential," she said.

"Crookwell District Hospital and emergency department play an integral role in the continuum of care for all of our residents and clients.

"If this local emergency department wasn't available to our residents and clients, the domino effect would be longer wait times and travel as they are then transferred to Goulburn hospital some 40 minutes away."