A free pathology service operating out of the Eden Community Health Centre is under threat of closure as NSW Health Pathology reviews its status.
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The service is run by Pathology West, based at Westmead Hospital, Sydney, and this morning Tuesday May 10 a representative flew to Eden to advise nurse Sue Watson that her job was on the line unless she increases numbers through the door.
The review - focused solely on the pathology service – comes a week after Ms Watson was told her position would be terminated, effective June 24.
Ms Watson said the biggest challenge is simply letting more Eden locals know that the service exists.
“Ever since GPs got private pathology in their surgeries they have not wanted to tell patients that we exist,” Ms Watson said on Monday May 9.
Ms Watson claimed some health professionals have said the service was already closed, or offered an inferior service.
“None of this is true,” Ms Watson said.
“Our pathology service is tested all the time, and we are accountable to the powers at Westmead Hospital, so we know we provide a good service.”
Ms Watson has been taking bloods in her small room in Twofold Arcade’s Eden Community Health Centre for more than 15 years.
Ms Watson alleges her client base began to fall when the privately-run Capital Pathology set up shop in Eden’s two medical clinics – Curalo Medical Centre and Access Medical Centre – six years ago.
“My numbers have dropped from 300 per month to 35 per month, over the past six years,” Ms Watson said.
“I used to be very busy here, but I’m not now due to Capital Pathology taking over and negative advice from doctors.”
Eden resident Margaret Perry is 81 years old and requires regular blood testing, and said she wouldn’t go to anyone else.
“I’ve become a bit of a connoisseur about people that take bloods and (Ms Watson) is the best,” Ms Perry said on Monday May 9.
“They say that anesthetists are supposed to be the experts, but they make a bigger mess than Sue does. They leave you bruised or they can’t find a vein or something.”
Ms Perry said her doctor is in Merimbula, and she is referred to Capital Pathology for her blood testing, but she is loyal to Ms Watson.
“I just like the personal connection and being able to pop around in the morning,” Ms Perry said.
“I have a fair few blood tests and other tests as well like urine tests and bowel tests – all this kind of caper – and if you have to wander out of town for that sort of thing its a big nuisance.”
Ms Perry said that if Ms Watson’s pathology unit closed, she would be forced to drive to Capital Pathology’s private service in Merimbula a few times a month, as she did not feel comfortable visiting the in-house Capital Pathology services in the Eden clinics.
For those requiring bloods taken for certain operations such as knee and hip replacement, they will have to travel all the way to Bega Hospital for bloods once taken by Ms Watson.
For routine blood services, Capital Pathology in the Eden clinics is destined to inherit Ms Watson’s client base if her service ends.
“My humble opinion is that Sue’s service has been white-anted,” Ms Perry said.
Ms Watson’s 15 year tenure was first thrown into turmoil last Tuesday May 3, when she received a surprise phone call shortly after applying for holiday-leave.
“The HR manager of Pathology West, Westmead Hospital, and the head scientist of Moruya Hospital called me,” Ms Watson said.
“I thought they were not happy about my holiday request. So it was shock when they started talking about ‘service reconstruction’ and how it was now a ‘perfect time for transition’ and they were closing down Eden due to lack of numbers’.”
When the Eden Magnet first talked to Ms Watson on Monday afternoon, May 9, Ms Watson had a sign up on her office alerting patients to the permanent closure, effective June 24.
“It’s very unkind,” Ms Watson said.
“I’m not looking forward to my holidays now as I’m heart broken. When I go on holiday, I close the door for good.”
Responding to the proposed closure was long-term Eden resident Peter Whiter, who first heard via social media.
“The thing that shocked me most is that I didn’t even know her service existed,” Mr Whiter said on Monday May 9.
“I go to a GP in Merimbula, and I’m always referred to Capital Pathology in his clinic or using the independent building on Main Street.
“Why aren’t doctors supporting this service?
“When I’ve needed bloods taken I could easily have done it in Eden – and got my milk and newspaper at the same time – but it was never mentioned to me as an alternative.
“I’d like to run a community campaign to keep this service running in Eden.
“Almost no one seems to know there is a pathology service occurring in the Eden Community Health Centre. It’s like the whole place is being kept behind a curtain.”
Ms Watson agrees, with only an overhanging sign on Imlay St and a scant board in Twofold arcade alerting passers-by of the centre’s existence, but no mention of pathology.
“Because we are a government service we are not allowed to advertise,” Ms Watson said.
“I’ve jumped up and down about it, but it’s just a government rule.
“And when negative things have been said about us by the doctors, the policy is that we are not allowed to stand up for ourselves and answer back.”
The Eden Magnet approached NSW Health Pathology for confirmation of the closure of the pathology unit and termination of Ms Watson’s position, and late Monday afternoon a formal statement was issued.
Instead of closure of the service, it said it was under review.
“Pathology West is reviewing its collections service at Eden due to low demand over the past several years,” a NSW Health Pathology spokesperson said.
“We are consulting with the Southern NSW Local Health District and local staff to ensure we make the best decision about future services to the region.
“Current collections’ services provided from the Imlay Street Community Health Service will continue to operate as normal and we will keep customers and patients updated on any relevant changes.”
On Tuesday morning, May 10, Ms Watson had a surprise visit by the very same two people who only last week called her with her termination bombshell.
“I had the HR manager from Pathology West, Westmead Hospital, and the pathology manager from Moruya Hospital drop-in,” Ms Watson confirmed on Tuesday May 10.
“They said they were reviewing the situation, and investigating all the smaller outer areas not just Eden.
“I had a great talk to them and said I was passionate about Eden and would walk over hot coals to keep the centre open.”
Ms Watson said the discussion covered her concerns about lack of public awareness about the centre, and she was told she had to increase numbers to secure her future.
“They have put it on pause for now and are investigating. So we have to prove that we can raise the numbers or we will definitely close.
Ms Watson said it’s been ‘an interesting 24 hours’ and said the proposed closure ‘stirred up a hornet’s nest’.
“It’s what needed to happen,” Ms Watson said. “People need to know I’m here. I don’t have doctor support from Eden, so it’s up to individuals to seek out our services.
Ms Watson said her ‘bosses’ assured her on Tuesday May 10 that the medicare rebate freeze effective July 1 will not affect her services, which will remain free.
“People don’t realise they have a choice about which pathology they go to, and currently they are not being given that choice by their GPs,” Ms Watson said.
“If we can get our numbers up and prove my wages are worth it, it might save the service.”
Curalo Medical Clinic was approached on Monday May 9 for comment, but no comment was forthcoming by time of press.
Eden Community Health Centre operates under Bega Valley Health, providing a range of services including immunisation, Aboriginal health workers, dietitians and oncology support.
None of these services are under review.