OVER 100 residents gathered this week for the launch of a new initiative to tackle the impact of the region’s affordable housing shortage on health services delivery in Bellingen and Dorrigo.
Faced with recent medical service closures, Bellingen Shire Council has partnered with the Bellinger Health Action Group (BHAG) and the Housing Matters Action Group (HMAG) to form the Homes for Health initiative.
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Bellingen Mayor Steve Allan opened the forum, highlighting that up to 16 hospital beds across Bellingen and Dorrigo remain closed, and that Hartley House – a medical ward at Bellingen Hospital – has been shut for over a year.
He noted that local health providers had identified the lack of affordable housing as a key barrier to recruiting and retaining nursing staff.
The Mid North Coast Local Health District indicated that the beds cannot be opened because they have not been able to recruit and retain enough nurses – a problem that stretches across the district.
The Homes for Health initiative aims to tackle this issue by “activating the latent capacity” for accommodation within the shire by utilising spare bedrooms, secondary dwellings, granny flats, and short-term holiday rentals to house healthcare workers.
Viola Morris of BHAG, said the group decided to collaborate on the housing initiative after speaking with hospital staff who identified housing shortages as a major obstacle to attracting nurses to the town.
This challenge, she added, is further compounded by lower pay rates for NSW nurses compared to other states.
“The concern shared by many at the forum was that the long-term viability of the hospital is at risk, with a quarter of the beds already closed,” Ms Morris said.
“Those closures mean more patients are being sent to hospitals in Coffs Harbour or Macksville, making it harder for family and friends to visit, especially for residents who avoid highway travel at night.
“Now that we’re in flood and cut off, we can really see the value of having a hospital close to town.”
Welcome Experience coordinator Penny Davidson, emphasised the difficulty in finding affordable accommodation for early career and student nurses.
Based at the Boambee East Community Centre, the service supports essential workers relocating to Bellingen and Coffs Harbour.
“We are presently supporting four Registered Nurses who are due to start work next week in Bellingen or Coffs hospitals but have yet to secure affordable accommodation,” Ms Davidson said.
“We are doing everything we can to assist them, including exploring suitable options with locals who expressed early interest in providing accommodation as part of the new Homes for Health initiative.”
Buoyed by the strong community support, Homes for Health is now launching its first program; a billeting initiative that matches healthcare workers and students with residents willing to offer spare rooms or self-contained accommodation.
“Our immediate focus is on solving the nursing shortage and reopening hospital beds,” said Mayor Allan.
“I’m pleased to say we already have over 40 expressions of interest from locals willing to help.”
His advice to other councils facing similar challenges is, “Never underestimate the passion of a community to protect essential services.
“Bring them together, and local solutions to difficult problems can be found.”
For more information, contact Rose West at info@housingmatters.org.au or on 0494 331 821.
By Leigh WATSON
