Rural health inquiries being across NSW have already revealed "damning" evidence about under stocked hospitals and doctors being told to ‘make do’ or ‘cut corners’. The inquiries are part of the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into health and hospital services in rural, regional and remote areas.

Read more local health news: Lismore Base reports highest Emergency Department attendances on record

Lismore's turn will be tomorrow, Thursday June 17 at 1.30pm at Lismore Worker's Club. The good news for the local community is that you can attend the live event, or, join the discussions about our needs and the state of health and hospital services in the area via the webcast.

State Member for Lismore, MP Janelle Saffin said the live broadcasts have been trialled over the past few weeks and haveing a local inquiry is a "good win" for locals - as well as all residents of rural and regional NSW.

"People need to have access to their Parliament and its processes,” Ms Saffin said. “I lobbied for this Inquiry to sit in our Electorate of Lismore and it is important that as many people as possible get to hear testimony from individuals and organisations who made submissions about their experience of the health system.

“When the Inquiry held hearings in Deniliquin and Cobar, both of which were not webcast, I understand that the transcripts then took over a week to be released publicly.

“This was unacceptable to many country people and media outlets, so my colleague, NSW Shadow Minister for Health Ryan Park raised these concerns directly with the Chief Executive of the Department of Parliamentary Services.

“In light of the high level of public interest in the Inquiry’s work, the Committee, chaired by Labor MLC Greg Donnelly, now will be trialling the live webcasting of its hearings this week."

The Inquiry was established on 16 September 2020 to inquire into and report on health outcomes and access to health and hospital services in rural, regional and remote New South Wales. It has received more than 700 submissions from people across NSW. Read more: 'Long overdue' Parliamentary Inquiry looks into rural and regional health.'

The live stream link is here: https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Pages/webcasts.aspx

Wellington Inquiry hears "damning evidence"

In an earlier inquiry in Wellington, damning evidence was heard, where a doctor described four regional hospitals running out of antibiotics and blood supplies.

Warrumbungle Shire Council Deputy Mayor Anniello Iannuzzi, who is also a General Practitioner and Visiting Medical Officer, told the inquiry that hospitals in the shire regularly run out of basic medicine and have no regular supplies of blood.

Dr Iannuzzi also said that doctors are forced to ‘make do’ or ‘cut corners’ and that the quality of hospital equipment being used to treat patients isn’t what it should be.

The inquiry also heard from nurses who said two days ago, three patients needed antibiotics and they had run out. They also revealed it was common to run out of incontinence pads and have to ask nursing homes for supplies.

Shadow Minister for Rural Health Kate Washington said during hearings, "we heard about doctors working 48 hours straight, kitchen staff looking after newborn babies and doctors considering resigning from their local hospital due to the pressures they face".

“The hearings come after more than 700 submissions were received by the inquiry from people across NSW,” Ms Washington said.

“These horror stories are unacceptable. It’s time for a change. Our regional communities deserve better.”