A petition has gained momentum around the Bogan Shire asking the council to reinstate Dr Merran Auland to the Medical Centre.
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The petition, titled ‘Reinstate Dr Auland at the Bogan Shire Medical Centre’ has gained 384 signatures since its conception on Wednesday evening. The signatures, which represents almost 15 per cent of the population, were acquired by Friday afternoon at 4pm.
Dr Auland’s contract was not renewed by the Bogan Shire following the September Council Meeting, where council decided the doctor/s who practice at the Medical Centre must at Visiting Medical Officer (VMO) rights at the Nyngan Multipurpose Centre.
Patients of Dr Auland appreciate the personal relationship and trust that has been built up by doctor and patient and would prioritise this option over forcing Dr Auland to take up VMO rights.
- Emily Pitt.
Dr Auland has chosen not to negotiate these rights and the council decided she would not be eligible for a new contract.
This decision invoked a strong reaction on social media and finally a petition, started by Nyngan resident Emily Pitt.
“Patients of Dr Auland appreciate the personal relationship and trust that has been built up by doctor and patient and would prioritise this option over forcing Dr Auland to take up VMO rights at the Nyngan Hospital,” she wrote on the petition.
General manager of the Bogan Shire Council, Derek Francis would not confirm whether he knew about the petition or not but said in a statement to The Nyngan Observer: “I’m sure the councillors will take all community feedback into consideration in making further decisions.”