Trusting members of the community may be inclined to think that a communication breakdown has occurred at Greater Western headquarters.

Others may wonder if yesterday morning’s talks were organised at short notice.

Irrespective of how it came about, let’s hope the Greater Western’s assertion that the meeting was “constructive” is accurate.

However, it was suggesting much the same after talks with Drs Dean Fisher and Geoff O’Connor came to nothing in the weeks after they refused to sign new contracts as visiting medical officers at Dubbo Base Hospital.

The community does not expect or have the right to know the details of these private negotiations.

But right now it is confused about their progress.

The Greater Western would be well advised to avoid at all costs the reputation it acquired in the community under the reign of former chief executive Claire Blizard.

By the time she left her post, its word was considered hollow.

NSW Health may call the shots at Greater Western, but it is the taxpayers of Dubbo and NSW who pay its wages.

They deserve the truth and nothing but the truth, even if it hurts.