THE Friends of Nioka have said they would most likely go ahead with modifications to the palliative care facility even if they were told Nioka could no longer be a separate entity from the Tamworth Hospital.
Friends of Nioka (FoN) members still were waiting with bated breath yesterday, hoping for answers so they could decide on their path of action to provide the best care for patients.
President Greg Carr said he thought the committee would vote to do some modifications even if they were told by the NSW Health Minister Reba Meagher that, against the community’s wishes, the next palliative care unit would be inside the proposed new hospital instead of remaining a stand-alone entity.
Mr Carr said the committee had written to Hunter New England Health’s chief executive officer, Nigel Lyons, Tamworth and Armidale hospital’s general manager Fergus Fitzsimons, and Ms Meagher, asking for information on what was happening with the hospital redevelopment.
“We want an assurance we can go ahead as a separate entity,” Mr Carr said.
“I can’t speak for the whole committee but I think we would probably be prepared to go ahead with modifications temporarily as I think it is unlikely they will demolish Nioka.
“We can’t leave people on waiting lists for years before the hospital is built; we will have to discuss it when we get an answer.
“To extend the building is a priority. Other people are on the waiting list, needing to get a proper diagnosis and help.
“With Tony Windsor, Peter Draper and ourselves asking for answers constantly they are going to have to give the public answers sooner or later. If the answer is negative they will have to face the community who raised money for the redevelopment.”
Mr Carr said it was not just Nioka that needed answers.
“We have suggested the oncology unit could be done in tandem, with the two facilities in the one building with a common reception. We have received no indication that such planning is occurring. Will they knock down Ronald McDonald House too?”
Mr Carr said FoN didn’t want to waste any further time, for the sake of people on waiting lists.
FoN’s Helen Betts said the group also needed to know if it would be allowed to expand at the current location.
“People want to know what we’re doing with the money they’ve kindly donated,” she said.