public meeting on September 12.

The meeting agreed Oxley MP Andrew Stoner should be approached to lend his support to have a

dialysis unit for Macksville made a top-level priority.

More than 60 people were at the meeting and heard from local people who undergo dialysis three times each week, travelling to Coffs Harbour or other centres for treatment.

Nambucca Shire Cr Michael Moran OAM shared his experience of dialysis treatment over the past 11-years.

He described his 5am rise to make appointments in Coffs Harbour, the long days of waiting and the danger of continuously travelling on the Pacific Highway.

Bowraville resident Rod Buchanan is taken from Bowraville to Coffs Harbour by ambulance for treatment.

His niece, Bronwyn Leon, told the meeting he sometimes waited until 6pm for another ambulance to return him home.

Another local man, Eddie Addison, talked about helping his 81-year-old wife to undertake dialysis at home. He said, with increasing age, he believed she would soon have to rely on hospital treatment.

The meeting attracted members of the public, medical officers and members of the local area health network.

The Mid North Coast Local Health Network’s Stewart Dowrick told the meeting that the request for a dialysis unit was placed in a priority list and that factors would have to be considered before it could be implemented, including providing clinically safe and appropriate dialysis; the difficulty in recruiting permanent medical staff; and balancing budget priorities.

In supporting the bid for a dialysis unit, medical officer at Macksville hospital Dr Rob Paton said well-trained and very competent medical staff were available locally. The issue of providing this kind of care in the local area would only gain greater prominence in the years to come, Nambucca Shire mayor Rhonda Hoban said.