MACLEAN HOSPITAL RECONFIGURATION DEFERRED

Plans to reconfigure wards at the Maclean District Hospital have been deferred over a lack of community consultation.

The decision by the Northern New South Wales Local Health District comes as it announces a community advisory group will be created to help steer the hospital’s review.

The Chief Executive of the Local Health District, Wayne Jones, says ensuring the community trust the process is important.

“No changes will be put into place until we’ve had more meaningful consultation with the community and we can convince them some of the misinformation in the community that this change may bring is in fact baseless,” Jones said.

Up to 10 community members will form the committee, with expressions of interests opening on the district’s website soon.