hospital.

The local community has supported the cause through fundraising, said Nambucca Valley Dialysis Fund

committee member Rona Freeman.

On behalf of Ms Freeman, area MP Andrew Stoner has taken the issue up with Minister for Health Jillian Skinner.

In a letter addressed to Mr Stoner, Ms Skinner said a new Renal Case Manager had recently been appointed to support renal patients in the Coffs Clinical Network, which covers the Macksville-Nambucca area.

Ms Skinner also said that NSW Health had started planning for the next Renal Service Plan in September.

“Similarly Mid North Coast Local Health District will commence consultation in early 2012 for the next Mid North Coast Local Health District Renal Service Plan,” Ms Skinner said.

Ms Skinner said extensive community consultation will be undertaken.

Ms Freeman said a November community consultation meeting was being arranged for Macksville.

Mid North Coast Local Health District CEO Stewart Dowrick and local MP Andrew Stoner would both be invited.

Rona said Nambucca Shire Council Mayor Rhonda Hoban would also be invited, as well as the dialysis committee and hopefully a representative for local medical staff and doctors would attend.

In the meantime, the Nambucca Valley Dialysis Fund group is continuing with its fundraising efforts.

Missabotti Rural Fire Service has already made a donation to the fund, and former Missabotti RFS fire-fighter Eddie Addison donated a hand-carved, wooden rocking horse to be raffled off.

Ms Freeman said the group was grateful for all community support.

Donations can be made into a bank account at the Bananacoast Credit Union under the name of Nambucca Valley Dialysis Fund.