A group of local Labor Party stalwarts is asking Premier Bob Carr to personally intervene in what they claim is "a debacle" surrounding Dubbo paediatrician Dr Stephen Pryde.
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The group has written to Mr Carr asking for his help after repeated attempts to have their concerns heard by NSW Health and Macquarie Area Health Service (MAHS).
Dr Pryde's contract as a visiting paediatrician to Dubbo Base Hospital expires on Saturday. He and another visiting medical officer (VMO) are being replaced by three staff specialists.
"Many of our group have tried talking to bureaucrats, however it is like talking to a tape recorder," spokesperson for the group Barry Brebner said.
"They have lost sight of the most important issue here - this is not about money, or personalities, it is about our kids.
"We just can't sit back and rest while we lose one of the most valued members of our community.
"It's time for our local community leaders to make it known that they are not going to tolerate losing more specialists.
"We don't want Dubbo to end up another Campbelltown."
Mr Brebner said the way MAHS was dealing with the issue simply wasn't good enough, and surely they could come to an arrangement to suit both Dr Pryde and the hospital.
"The answer lies somewhere in the middle but it seems the health service simply doesn't want to find it," Mr Brebner said.
"There have been no negotiations whatsoever.
"Dr Pryde was informed there would be no VMOs in paediatrics anymore, so he either had to sign up as a staff specialist or not at all.
"Here we have a man who has serviced Dubbo and isolated communities in the area for 15 years and he is being treated most unfairly.
"I have personal knowledge of Dr Pryde's extensive work - he has helped at least nine of my 15 grandchildren - and it is above and beyond what you would call normal duties."
Mr Brebner's grandson suffered a life-threatening illness at four months old but he said thanks to Dr Pryde his grandson was now a healthy five-year-old.
"Under this plan we would get more paediatricians, but where are they and what are their qualifications and experience?" he asked.
"The health service says they can get more services for their dollar, but hasn't considered the likely quality of services and the value of Dr Pryde's local experience.
"Specialists are paid a substantial amount of money, but so are CEOs and executives and they aren't looking after our children.
"I could never put a price on my grandson's life."
The group is also made up of local Labor branch president Mick O'Shea, former mayor and Dubbo city councillor Allan Smith, federal electorate council secretary Joe Knagge, State electoral council secretary and Dubbo deputy mayor Warren Mundine (who is a member of the MAHS board), campaign manager Keith Perkins and State electoral council treasurer Phil Priest.
The group's letters to State health minister Morris Iemma remain unanswered and now they are waiting for Mr Carr to "take hold of the reins" and solve this problem.