Trangie residents can breathe a bit easier with the news that their long-term and highly respected local general practitioner (GP) and Visiting Medical Officer (VMO) at the Trangie Multipurpose Service, Dr Ashraf Labib, will remain in his role for the next two years.

The doctor’s tenure has been a community concern for some time, with repeated representations to the highest levels within NSW Health about extending his employment contract.

This concern became a local-area election issue in 2022 when Trangie residents held public meetings to discuss the issue and initiated a letter-writing campaign to elected representatives including the Member for Dubbo electorate, Dugald Saunders MP, and then-Minister for Rural Health, Bronnie Taylor MLC.

With the doctor’s employment contract set to expire on June 30, 2022, the former Perrottet government subsequently extended it until after the state election in March 2023.

The Western Plains APP can report that negotiations between Dr Labib and the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) recently concluded, with the parties reaching an agreement for the doctor to continue providing medical services at the Trangie Multipurpose Service.

A WNSWLHD spokesperson would not confirm details of the agreement, including the timeframe of the contract, citing the privacy of employment negotiations.

Narromine Shire mayor and Trangie resident, Cr Craig Davies, a long-time advocate for the doctor and rural health services, expressed relief and gratitude at the outcome, as well as a hint of frustration at the lengths to which he has had to go in recent years to publicise the issue.

“This contract is for [Dr Labib] to remain in Trangie until September 2025, at which point [NSW Health] will enter into another [multi-year] contract with him. It is wonderful news to know we will have the continuity of service from a doctor who has 22 years’ experience in serving the people of Trangie,” Cr Davies said.

“For the past five years I have supported Dr Labib in his efforts to renew his contract and remain in Trangie. It has been a drawn-out affair that has usually ended with me taking the issue to the mainstream press and TV to embarrass them into renewing the contract.

“A change of government has seen a completely different attitude in the retention of doctors in rural and remote centres,” he said.

Local residents pleased – but also concerned

The news of the doctor’s contract extension has also pleased local residents, who have been frustrated by the almost annual bartering process to renew Dr Labib’s contract in recent years.

“The hassle we had when we thought that we might lose our doctor created a great deal of anxiety in the community, especially with [those] who suffer chronic health problems and the elderly,” said local resident Pat Riley.

“Ash is our ‘family doctor’, though I am fortunate in that I only, as a rule, get to see him once or twice a year. However, I do understand at least some of the ramifications of not having a doctor in town,” she said.

“Trangie is a small town with a large, aged population. Elderly people are more comfortable dealing with someone they know and after 20 odd years, Ash is (almost) a local. He knows his patients and they know and have confidence in him.

“Travel out of town for the elderly can pose a problem if they have no family, don’t drive, or find travelling difficult.”

Pat Riley (right) with Cr Craig Davies and TV personality Tracey Spicer at a community function in 2022. PHOTO: Sharon Bonthuys

Mrs Riley expressed concern that if Trangie were to lose its resident GP, locals would be forced to travel away for treatment, taking valuable dollars from the town as they attended to other business while out of town.

“Why come back to Trangie to shop if you happen to be in Dubbo with huge supermarkets? And, of course, [residents] will get their ‘scripts made up while they are there, so we lose our pharmacist as well.

“Local businesses struggle as it is. People travelling out of town for medical appointments will surely put an added burden on them,” Mrs Riley said.

“No doctor in town could potentially lead to no Trangie.”

Mrs Riley said the precarious health situation could also potentially impact future growth in the town.

“Having no doctor in town also lessens the likelihood of people wanting to come here, settle here and make Trangie their home. It could also influence people to make the decision to leave. This would also have an impact on local schools and businesses," Mrs Riley said.

Local health services were of high importance to Trangie businessman Paul Gartside who moved his family to the town. Photo: Alex Gartside.

Health services were high on the agenda when Paul Gartside brought his family to town to take over the Trangie Caravan Park almost three years ago.

“We joined the community of Trangie, brought our family, and bought our business on the understanding that there was both a local hospital and a local GP.

“It was the top requirement on our list when we were looking for the place to start our new life. If Trangie is to continue to grow and prosper, to continue to preserve the population that is already here, and also encourage new growth and new people to the town, then the Local GP is an absolute requirement,” he said.

“Whether a member of our community requires ongoing medical monitoring or something as simple as getting a script, we require the services of a doctor who knows us and knows our medical history, and we certainly do not need to join a months’ long waiting list at either Narromine or Dubbo,” Mr Gartside added, noting the existing pressure on medical centres in these communities which saw many clinics not taking new patients.

Like many local residents, Mr Gartside attended the public meetings in Trangie in 2022 and spoke passionately about the importance of retaining the local doctor.

“It baffles me why such a vital service to our community seems to constantly be under review. Couldn’t the health department get their act together and offer Dr Labib a five-year contract?” he said.