Leader of The Nationals WA and Member for Mid-West, Shane Love MLA, has slammed the WA Country Health Service (WACHS) for its abject failure to ensure Carnarvon Hospital was adequately resourced ahead of the Gascoyne Dash, leading to the last-minute cancellation of the bike section of the event.
Mr Love said it was unacceptable that such a significant regional event had been jeopardised due to WACHS’s inability to maintain basic hospital services or deliver effective contingency planning.
“The State Government signed off on the event’s management plans less than a month ago, yet during the Dash WACHS left the local hospital under resourced and unable to receive patients.”
“This is a complete failure by WACHS at the highest level, and sadly, it’s something we see time and time again in the Gascoyne under the Cook Labor Government. WACHS now has many fundamental questions to answer.”
Mr Love said he had spoken directly with the Gascoyne Dash organisers and personally contacted the Minister for Health on behalf of the people of Carnarvon, who are understandably furious that this has been allowed to occur.
“I made my concerns about the situation clear to the Minister last night.”
“To force community organisers into cancelling part of their event because WACHS dropped the ball is disgraceful.”Mr Love said.
“Events like the Gascoyne Dash are critical to the social and economic fabric of our regions, and under Labor, they’re becoming harder and harder to stage.”
“You have to ask whether this is the goal of an anti-regions Government more focused on Perth than the bush.”
While the motor vehicle section of the event will go ahead, Mr Love said the damage to the community and competitors was already done.
“The Gascoyne Off Road Racing Club has acted with professionalism and integrity, putting safety first. They’ve done their job, WACHS has not.” Mr Love said.
Mr Love said the lack of resourcing at Carnarvon Hospital has sparked concern in Carnarvon that it can’t meet the needs of residents, let alone support the Gascoyne Dash.
“I’ve been contacted by elderly members of the Carnarvon community who are understandably panicked,” Mr Love said.
“They’re worried that if they need urgent care, their local hospital won’t be able to help them.”
“As the new local Member in Carnarvon, I will work closely with the Dash organisers and the Department of Health to ensure this is never allowed to happen again.”
“I will be relentless in holding the Cook Labor Government to account and in securing the long-term future of the Dash as a vital economic and social pillar of our region.”
