HASH chairman Rob Hurdwell, publicity officer Di Hurdwell and secretary Nick Illek met with councillors on Monday to seek Council’s support for their group, formed to voice residents’, patients’ and staff concerns following a public meeting in May.

HASH aims to work with health authorities to achieve a better health service for the Southern Highlands.

The group is researching problems at Bowral Hospital to determine the areas most in need of action.

HASH has already produced a list of short-comings based on information from health practitioners and the general public.

These include:

*Two operating theatres are old and small;

*There are too few beds for current requirements and, as a result, not enough physicians, surgeons and nurses attracted to the hospital;

*There is only one obstetrician to care for about 700 babies born each year at the maternity wards.

* There are no maternity facilities for private patients;

*Visiting Medical Officers (VMOs) and nursing staff do not have enough support;

*Critical staff, including an obstetrician, medical director and the emergency department director, have resigned and one position has still not been replaced;

nLimited operating times for surgeons have resulted in a long waiting list;

*There is no master plan available for public scrutiny;

* Only two beds are available for mental health patients;

* There is no lung specialist;

* There is no isolation ward or facility.

Despite the recent refurbishment of the children’s ward and upgrading of the maternity ward some years ago, HASH’s overall assessment is that the hospital is underfunded, poorly managed and in dire need of serious investment.

Mrs Hurdwell said the members were pleased with the response from councillors at Monday’s meeting.

Mr Hurdwell said although the hospital was not the responsibility of Council, under the Local Government Act the council could take up issues affecting the community and lobby on its behalf.