COOMA celebrated the opening of its new $1.75 million renal unit last week however Bombala resident John Ingleworth says the facility will make no difference to Bombala patients.
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Mr Ingleworth, 81, travels to Bega twice a week to receive dialysis treatment and believes the new addition to Cooma hospital will not make a difference to Bombala patients.
“When I go for dialysis I sit in a chair for four-and-a-half hours at a time,” Mr Ingleworth said.
“At the moment I travel an hour-and-a-half to Bega and Cooma is about an hour so it doesn’t make that much of a difference.
“There is no public transport to get me to Cooma directly and I do need to be at the Renal Ward by 8 o’clock.”
Mr Ingleworth makes the commute with the assistance of a community roster set up by
Bombala Men’s Shed president Chris Philbrick.
Generous people in Bombala volunteer their time every Monday to drive him to Bega in order to keep him alive.
NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner said four patients are currently using the Cooma renal ward facility having begun their treatment in the last month, with the potential expansion to an additional four spaces.
The renal unit is a fantastic facility and I have no doubt it will provide comprehensive treatment for patients with kidney disease who can now be cared for in the comfort of their own community,” Mrs Skinner said.
“The project has been a labour of love for all involved and I thank hospital staff and the community for their patience in watching this facility grow.”
Member for Monaro, John Barilaro, said the state of the art dialysis unit in Cooma will transform renal services in the region and underpins the Liberal and National government’s commitment to improved regional healthcare.
“Previously patients were forced to travel a minimum of five hours round trip to Queanbeyan, Canberra or Bega for dialysis, it’s clear the new service will be life changing for these patients,” Mr Barilaro said.
“It will offer residents of the Monaro and visitors to the region a convenient and comfortable area with the latest equipment to treat kidney disease.”
Mr Ingleworth, who has been receiving his life saving treatment for more than eight years, said he thinks the facility will be great for those dialysis patients who live in Cooma.
“I think it will mostly be used by those that live in Cooma and at the moment I am happy with the treatment I am getting in Bega,” he said.
