The X-ray service is now operating normally but Greater Western Area Health Service (GWAHS) has acknowledged that for a brief time non-urgent referrals from GPs were re-scheduled or referred to alternative X-ray services, because it did not pay its bills.

And as the list of businesses waiting for payment from GWAHS grows, Dubbo MP Dawn Fardell said a local taxi firm was also owed money.

In the light of having heard several “horrible” stories of local businesses not being paid on time, Mrs Fardell has called for an audit of GWAHS.

This week it was revealed Gilgandra Hospital has been serving meals without meat for the past few weeks because of outstanding accounts.

Earlier this year Sydney-based software supplier Global Direction made it public that GWAHS did not pay a $22,500 bill for five months.

Dubbo Health Council chairman, John Roberts yesterday told the Daily Liberal that a source - who works within the medical service - had informed him X-rays had been halted at the hospital.

Mr Roberts said he heard that GWAHS had not paid its bills for film provided from Kodak.

GWAHS confirmed X-rays had stopped for a short time due to unpaid bills at the hospital but said that it dids not hold accounts with Kodak.

A GWAHS spokesperson declined to reveal which company has the tender for developing film for the hospital.

Mr Roberts described the situation as “appalling”.

“To me it’s a slur on Dubbo that GWAHS has not paid its bills,” Mr Roberts said.

“What’s the sense of pushing people to come to Dubbo if this is the way our health system is getting? You can get X-rays from other services but how do aged pensioners afford it?”

Mrs Fardell is compiling a list of creditors who are owed money from GWAHS to show new health minister John Della Bosca.

She said among those unpaid for many months was a local taxi firm.

“I’m aware of some startling information and I’m hoping to meet with the minister about outstanding accounts,” Mrs Fardell said.

“It’s about time that GWAHS and councils and insurance firms pay bills if they are quick to take funds.”

Mrs Fardell said people in the community gave services in good faith and should be paid accordingly.

GWAHS said it is continuing to improve its financial position not only in regard to creditors but its overall budget performance as well.

belinda.galloway@ruralpre ss.com