Narromine $2.00 incl GST
PROUDLY SERVING THE NARROMINE, TRANGIE AND TOMINGLEY REGION
Redden family among many growers beginning harvest PAGE 6
NEW POLICE OFFICER FOR REGION
STORY: PAGE 2
Thursday,, November ove be 25, 5, 2021 0
A CRICKET FILLED WEEKEND FOR JUNIORS SEE SPORT
Where are all the doctors? By BROOKE CHANDLER IT is a chronic problem with very few simple answers – how to get doctors and other healthcare providers to work in regional NSW. After what has been described as a worst case scenario by politicians across the country, the escalation of COVID-19 in western NSW has put a spotlight on the already vulnerable regional healthcare system. Although the state government has committed more than $4 billion to the health system to manage the impacts of the pandemic, concerned locals want to know if the funds will improve the accessibility of general practitioners (GPs) at Narromine Hospital. A spokesperson from the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) told the Narromine Star while the state government builds health centres and employs staff to manage them, it is however the federal governments’ responsibility to appoint GPs as visiting medical officers (VMOs). “Demand for health services in some small rural towns is varied,” they said. “Allowing GPs to be appointed as VMOs at a local hospital ensures continuity of care for the community and supports the GP to practice and maintain skills across a range of specialities.” The VMO model has been in place for several decades and is designed to support the doctors to see and treat patients in a private practice, rather than in the hospital system. Continued page 3
Generous hearts: Desley Smith, Fran Crawford, Nikki McCutcheon, Jennifer McMillan, Dorris Wilcox, Kay Groves, Cath Grimshaw and Robyn Brown. PHOTO: NARROMINE STAR/KATIE HAVERCROFT PHOTOGRAPHY.
Mudyigalang donates to the Narromine Cancer Support Group By BROOKE CHANDLER A SMALL club of like minded ladies, better known as Mudyigalang Craft Group, made a substantial donation to the Narromine Cancer Group on Friday, November 19. This donation, valued at $2000, is a testament of the various charities the Mudyigalang Craft Group work to support. Amongst the struggles of a COVID-19 induced lockdown, the non-for-
profit organisation has made financial donations to the local Multiple Sclerosis Support Group and Narromine Rescue Squad. Baby bonnets were also handcrafted by the group and sent to the premature baby ward at Dubbo Base Hospital. Club secretary, Kay Groves, says the group’s charity work would not be possible without the assistance of local businesses such as Inland Petroleum Service Station and Narromine Fruit Shop.
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“The key chains we made this year were sold in these stores,” Ms Groves said. “Once we have covered our own costs, this is how we round money together to make our donations.” Since their establishment in 2005, Mudyigalang Craft Group has donated over $25,000 to organisations and businesses throughout the Narromine Shire. “Everything we do is for the local community. We don’t want that to change,” Ms Groves added.