Cardiology concerns for Bourke

Sept. 29, 2014, 2:46 p.m.

A Bourke man says he is deeply concerned about the town not having a cardiologist, after the town's visiting heart specialist was suspended by the Western NSW Local Health District last week.

A man in Bourke said he is deeply concerned about the town not having a cardiologist, after the town's visiting heart specialist was suspended by the Western NSW Local Health District last week.

Dr Roger Chatoor, who was a visiting specialist at the Bourke Aboriginal Health Service for two days every month, was suspended from Dubbo Hospital following an investigation into his behaviour and clinical practises.

One of his patients, Chris McGirr said Dr Chatoor was solidly booked every time he visited the small town and now Mr McGirr is worried about the Health Service finding a replacement.

"People are concerned pretty much everywhere. If we can't get him who else are we going to get? Mr McGirr said.

He said it took two-and-a-half years to find a cardiologist to come to the area before Dr Chatoor.

"People's lives are in danger out this way. Say I had a heart failure and had to fly down to Dubbo, who's going to treat me? Some bloke that doesn't even know me."

Mr McGirr said now he and his mother, who also has a heart condition, are most likely going to have to travel for their check-ups every three months.

"I'm going to have to drive to Dubbo, or if I can't find a doctor there, Bathurst or Sydney. That's five or six hours in a car, staying the night, then five or six hours home.

Originally posted here:
Cardiology concerns for Bourke