Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) has established a new Community Advisory Group (CAG) for Maclean District Hospital, following expressions of interest received from around the local area.

The inaugural meeting was held on May 7 and included presentations by NNSWLHD Chief Executive Wayne Jones and Dan Madden, Clarence Health Service General Manager. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the first meeting was held via teleconference.

Seven community members have now been appointed to the Maclean CAG. They are Megan Todd, Anne Farrell and Heulwen Carroll from Maclean, Trish Bowes of Yamba, Joy de Roos (Ilarwill), Christine Robertson (Woombah) and Wendy Crowley from Gulmarrad. Anne Farrell was elected inaugural Chair.

Mrs Farrell is a retired Nurse Manager of Maclean District Hospital and a passionate supporter of health care and the local community. She was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 2006 and in 2012 was named Clarence Valley’s Woman of the Year.

“I am passionate about health and my community and was fortunate to have nursed for over 50 years with 43 of those at Maclean Hospital,” Mrs Farrell said.

“I look forward to representing health consumers and my community and to providing advice and support to the local health district in their decision making.”

NNSWLHD Chief Executive, Wayne Jones, said the group will provide important feedback and guidance to the Health District.

“We look forward to the input these community representatives will provide to help ensure we continue to meet the health needs of the local community,” Mr Jones said.

NNSWLHD also has community advisory groups in Clarence, Ballina, Lismore, Casino, Byron, Murwillumbah, and Tweed.

For more information about Northern NSW Local Health District’s community engagement program, visit the NNSWLHD website.

Gulaptis welcomes the appointment

 The appointment has been welcomed by Clarence Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis.

Mr Gulaptis said the group was established to help steer future health care needs and services in the Lower Clarence following poor consultation around plans by the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) to reconfigure wards at Maclean District Hospitals.

“There are some familiar faces on the new Community Advisory Group representing a cross section of communities in the Lower Clarence and I congratulate them on their appointment,” Mr Gulaptis said.

“I am particularly pleased to see retired Nurse Manager of Maclean District Hospital, Anne Farrell elected as inaugural Chair.

“Anne has a long association with the Hospital having nursed for 43 of her 50-year nursing career at Maclean and is widely respected in the local community so we are in good hands.

“Maclean District Hospital has a significant role to play in delivering vital health services to the local community well into the future.

“I have every confidence the input from the members of new Community Advisory Group will ensure we meet the short and long-term health needs of the local community.”