A meeting was called for the communities of Swifts Creek, Ensay and Benambra last Thursday evening at the Junction Hotel, Swifts Creek, to openly discuss the cessation of the GP services overseen by Omeo District Health (ODH) to these communities. 
These residents were upset, saying there was no consultation by ODH with the communities, the bush nursing centres or Benambra Neighbourhood House.
"An email was sent to the bush nursing centres and Benambra Neighbourhood House stating the doctors would no longer be attending these facilities and the patients would have to travel to Omeo for their appointments, and yet ODH is still falsely advertising in the local Omeo news sheet that the doctors will be in Ensay on Tuesday morning and Swifts Creek Tuesday afternoon and Thursday afternoon," a disgruntled local resident said.
There was a strong turnout for the meeting from all of the communities affected. 
It was a respectful meeting and the Swifts Creek Bush Nursing Centre assured local residents it is business as usual at the centre, as it is not part of ODH and is funded separately (private not-for-profit organisation) and allowed the doctors to use the facility free of charge for their consultations.
"Some of the local residents were concerned they would not be able to get their pathology collected at the bush nursing centres and  that other services would be cut," the resident said.

IMAGE: Disgruntled High Country community members gathered last Thursday at the Junction Hotel at Swifts Creek to discuss the ending of GP services in Swifts Creek, Ensay and Benambra. (PS)