‘Vague promises’ no replacement for quality medical staff

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Monaro MP John Barilaro.

Monaro MP John Barilaro.

Monaro MP John Barilaro has blasted NSW Health for failing to provide answers regarding dementia support staff at Queanbeyan Hospital.

Concerns were raised last week about a drop in dementia care services in the community, when it was confirmed in a report by The Queanbeyan Age at least two specialist dementia care nurses ceased work at the hospital.

Although the positions have been left ‘‘vacant’’ for almost a month, NSW Health could not tell the Monaro MP and Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business and Regional Development whether the positions had been advertised.

The drop in services has been sorely felt by patients, their families and the non-profits in the Queanbeyan mental health sector left to pick up the slack. On Friday, Mr Barilaro still unable to extract answers from NSW Health about the situation said he had lost confidence in the department.