Parliament receives x-ray petition

A PETITION calling for the reopening of x-ray facilities at New Norfolk was tabled in State Parliament yesterday. Lyons Greens MHA Tim Morris said 1032 signatures had been collected in one week, calling for the fully-equipped x-ray facility at the New Norfolk District Hospital to be re-opened, and calling on Health Minister Michelle O’Byrne to hire the staff needed to operate the facility as soon as possible.

Mr Morris MP, said the x-ray facility at the New Norfolk District Hospital was idle due to a lack of staffing, and it should be re-opened as soon as possible to assist the residents of the Derwent Valley and Central Highlands who were experiencing extreme difficulties in attending x-ray appointments in Hobart. “The x-ray facility at the New Norfolk District Hospital is already fully equipped, it has been operated by the private and public sectors over many years, and the people of the Derwent Valley and the Central Highlands want it re-opened immediately,” said Mr Morris.

“Local residents, including those at the Corumbene Nursing Home and the New Norfolk District Hospital itself, currently face a difficult trip to Hobart for x-ray services, which often results in significant delays in access to this vital medical service. After receiving 1032 signatures on this petition in just one week it is obvious that the people of the Derwent Valley and Central Highlands want the fully equipped X-Ray facility at the New Norfolk District Hospital re-opened, and the Greens are calling on Health Minister O’Byrne to heed their call, and to hire new staff and re-open the facility as soon as possible,” Mr Morris said.