Speaking at the launch of the Cowra Health Council’s Look Healthy – Live Healthy – Be Healthy forum last week Mr Griffiths revealed that a service plan for Cowra and district is in the final stages.

“Looking through some of the data on Cowra I see that those people over 70 make up 17 per cent of the Cowra community, statistics show that in 2031 they’ll make up 23 per cent, so it is an aging community,” Mr Griffiths said.

“It’s therefore important that the health services that are provided are adequate,” he said.

Mr Griffiths said the Western Health Board had been working on a service plan with Cowra Health Service management and staff as well as local medical practitioners which will be accessible to the public this year.

“It’s in its final stages for the next 10 years and will be signed off by the board in June and then that will come out and be accessible to everyone,” Mr Griffiths said.

“There is also ongoing work looking at the infrastructure at the hospital.

“We are currently finalising a plan to do a total refurbishment of the emergency department.

“We’re hoping funds will become available for that, looking at completion, subject to the funding coming, in around three years.

“We’re also working on a much larger infrastructure project for the hospital and it’s the top priority now for the Health District and subject to funding for that we’re looking at six to seven years to completion.

“Unfortunately these things take so long for the planning, to get through Treasury and all those sort of details which unfortunately sounds like an incredibly long time.

While many residents fear that our medical services will shrink over time Mr Griffiths offered reassurance during his address to the launch.

“The service plan does have positive news for Cowra, there is nothing that is going to shrink,” he said.

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