When someone is wearing a crown a statement has been made, a presence established and a future believed in.

Southern NSW Local Health District (SNSWLHD) CEO Janet Compton painted a positive image at the consultation meeting last Wednesday night in Goulburn.

She said Goulburn Base Hospital would be a star in the crown of NSW Health. But how big will that star be? Will it be of value? Will it be admired? Or will it be lost in the colours and riches of the surrounding jewels, which are more refined – more planned.

Ms Compton’s discussions surrounding the redevelopment of Goulburn Base Hospital and the future of Bourke Street were welcomed.

But unfortunately it still appears that the future of health in Goulburn is intricately linked to the people in power providing vague timelines and refusing to answer much needed questions.

The assurance Bourke Street Health Service will not close should not offer anyone comfort. With no timeline to how, where and if certain services will be reallocated, once again the people are left uncertain.

Among the conversations surrounding mental health and the need for consistent consultation, the relationship between MP Pru Goward and Ms Compton arose as an issue which people wanted clarified.  

Goulburn Labor Party branch president Jason Shepherd said confusion could have been avoided if Ms Goward “openly supported the local health district.” 

Another attendee highlighted the discrepancy between messages from Ms Goward and the SNSWLHD, to which MS Compton responded that “regular briefings, as needs be” took place.

But really, at the end of the day, it’s not about Ms Goward and Ms Compton, it is about the vitality and progress of the diverse, integral health services provided in the region.

It is about the people asking questions and receiving answers that are not incomplete, neglected or forgotten.

So to Ms Compton, we say that no one asked to be put on a crown. People want a hospital that will be adequately funded. People want the LHD to not only listen to what people want, but what people may fear in moving forward. And most importantly, to understand that this community will reach out their hand in good faith, if the next person is willing to do the same.