The Independent Member for Murray, Helen Dalton, is standing by her criticism of Local Health Advisory Committees, despite claims she's been "disrespectful" on social media.
The Local Health Advisory Committees, or LHACs, are made up of nine community representatives appointed by the Murrumbidgee Local Health District Board to advise on local health needs and service planning.
In a number of posts, some of which have since been deleted, Ms Dalton criticised the advocacy of the Griffith committee.
"I don't feel that we've had genuine consultation on many of the issues, and it's not an attack on any particular member of the LHACs, but a lot of the LHAC boards across my area," Ms Dalton said.
The ABC understands the heads of several LHACs in the Murray electorate met to discuss concerns, saying their volunteers felt "attacked" by her criticism.
They are now consulting other committee members about what action to take.
Regional Health Minister 'stands with' LHACs
The Minister for Regional Health, Bronnie Taylor, commended chairs of Local Health Advisory Committees for calling out "disrespectful" behaviour by Ms Dalton.
"I absolutely stand by the people on these committees throughout rural and regional New South Wales." Ms Taylor said.
"I think that's something to commend, not criticise."
Ms Taylor said she had been contacted directly about Ms Dalton's behaviour by one LHAC chairman.
"This is a very big stand from these people," she said.
"I'm sure they don't want to put themselves out there like this and have to make this statement, but they've done it because they feel strongly about the appalling treatment that they've had."
Murrumbidgee Local Health District Board chair Tom Douch wrote to the LHAC chairs about criticism by a "high-profile member" of the community.
LHAC members deserve respect and commendation for their willingness to undertake the job.
I am sure each LHAC is open to discussion and debate, but they do not deserve pointed and scurrilous comments in social media and elsewhere.
Need for review
Ms Dalton said the operation of the LHACs was examined by the NSW parliamentary inquiry into rural, regional and remote health.
"There was a recommendation to review and reinvigorate and promote the role of the Local Health Advisory Committees to ensure genuine consultation on local health and hospital service outcomes and health service planning," she said.
Ms Dalton has defended her actions in raising health issues in her electorate.
"I think it's a total overreaction," she said.
"And, I think if we were all doing our job well, we would be getting on and really consulting with the community and making those necessary changes."
