THE Hunter New England Health Service had agreed to supply two gastroscopes, three colonoscopes and a sterilisation unit to coincide with the arrival of new GP surgeon Dr Edward Or (pictured right).
Member for Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay has received assurances that endoscopy equipment needed to conduct procedures at the Glen Innes Hospital will be delivered within approximately two months.
Dr Or has been practicing in the town for the last three weeks and has already referred 15 patients for gastroscopy and colonoscopy procedures.
He began operating this week at the Inverell Hospital where there is a waiting list of 70 patients.
He has also undertaken relief shifts at the Armidale Hospital. Both hospitals have the endoscopy equipment.
“There was an expectation in the community that colonoscopies and gastroscopies would be available at Glen Innes Hospital on Dr Or’s arrival,” Mr Torbay said. “Many people contacted me to find out why it had been delayed.
“I have contacted Dr Or who is ready to begin these procedures at Glen Innes as soon as the equipment arrives and I am disappointed there is still a time to wait.”
Mr Torbay said he had sought an immediate response from HNEH CEO Dr Nigel Lyons and received an assurance the equipment was being ordered from the US and should arrive in around eight weeks.
“It means that in the meantime Glen Innes patients will have to travel to Inverell or Armidale to access these endoscopy services,” he said.
“While it is pleasing that there is now some guarantee that the equipment will be installed in Glen Innes, this hold up should not have occurred in the first place.”
The MP said Dr Or had told him he was happy with the operating theatre at the Inverell Hospital which offered better facilities than Glen Innes.
“The Inverell Hospital requires another sterilisation unit for the endoscopy unit to run smoothly and effectively but otherwise it is an excellent facility and it is a boon for the community to have these services available locally,” he said.
“When the equipment is finally installed at Glen Innes it will make access considerably easier for Tenterfield patients.”