Aretired public servant has used an open forum to rebuke regional health officialdom for their contract dealings with Mount Gambier orthopaedic surgeon Mr Henry Forbes.
David Walshaw spent 40 years with the public service and his roles included Millicent, Kingston and Penola Hospital chief executive and Lower South East regional health director.
Mr Forbes has worked at the Mount Gambier Hospital for almost 30 years but he was not offered a new contract by the Limestone Coast Local Health Network after the previous agreement expired on June 30.
Now an elected member of Wattle Range Council, Cr Walshaw told the July monthly council meeting the absence of a new contract for Mr Forbes was an indictment on the management of the regional health workforce.
“They have let go a surgeon and his skill level which we have had for 30 years,” Cr Walshaw said.
“The surgical expertise of Mr Forbes will be missed by the footballers and other sporting people.”
Cr Walshaw indicated that his own son had received an amazing service from Mr Forbes when he broke his wrist playing football for Mount Burr.
“Mr Forbes has been prepared to work a one-in-two roster with Mr Barney McCusker,” he said.
“However, saner minds than ours have made this decision regarding Mr Forbes.”
Cr Walshaw also expressed his disappointment that a South East resident had not been appointed by Health Minister Chris Picton to chair the LCLHN regional board in succession to the retired Grant King.
He said the new chairman was orthopaedic surgeon Mr Andrew Sailes who came from Adelaide.
Cr Walshaw claimed the new chairman may not be fully aware of the medical complexities of the South East region and would need to get up to speed very quickly.
Cr Walshaw expressed his concerns that Member for MacKillop Nick McBride had yet to exercise his legislated right to appoint a representative to the Millicent Health Advisory Council despite being elected to State Parliament more than six years ago.
Cr Richard Cassidy represents Wattle Range Council on the Millicent HAC and he said Mr McBride was considering a nomination.
