Member for Barwon tables parliamentary motion after walk-in hours reduced.

IN SHORT

•  Member for Barwon Roy Butler has tabled a parliamentary motion calling for immediate restoration of full walk-in emergency hours at Wilcannia Multi-Purpose Service
• The hospital reduced after-hours walk-in access in late November, requiring patients to use an intercom system between 7pm and 7am
• Butler's motion argues that Wilcannia's high chronic disease rates, poor access to health services and remoteness make the reduced hours unacceptable for community safety

Member for Barwon Roy Butler has given notice of a parliamentary motion calling for the immediate restoration of full emergency department hours at Wilcannia Multi-Purpose Service.

The Wilcannia MPS reduced its walk-in emergency care hours in late November, with after-hours patients now required to call an intercom system to access care between 7pm and 7am.

The change, initially described as temporary until January 31, appears to have been extended, prompting Mr Butler to move for its reversal in the sitting week just concluded.

Mr Butler's motion acknowledges that after-hours emergency care remains available via the intercom system, but argues this is inadequate for a community facing significant health challenges.

"Wilcannia has a high incidence of chronic disease, poor access to health services, and its remoteness makes it extremely difficult to divert emergency cases elsewhere," the motion states.

The motion commits Parliament to "restoring the full number of hours immediately and to find ways of preventing future reductions."

Far West Local Health District announced the changes in November, citing ongoing challenges in recruiting key health workers in rural and regional areas across Australia.

District CEO Scott Dykgraaf said the decision was made with "great care and consideration" for patients and staff, with safety and wellbeing at the heart of the decision.

"This change is being implemented to ensure patients receive safe care during the summer holiday period," Mr Dykgraaf said at the time. "On-call staff will still attend and provide prompt access to patients who require treatment after hours."

However, for residents of Wilcannia and surrounding properties in Central Darling Shire, the reduced hours represent another erosion of already limited health services in one of the state's most remote regions.

The Wilcannia MPS has been providing care to the local community for over 140 years and operates a two-bed emergency department alongside eight residential aged care beds.

In life-threatening emergencies, residents are advised to call Triple Zero (000). For non-urgent matters, healthdirect is available on 1800 022 222 for 24-hour advice from a registered nurse.

Mr Butler's motion will be debated when Parliament resumes on March 17.