Rural and regional healthcare 'at breaking point'

The inquiry was told all ENT (ear, nose and throat) services - interventions and surgeries, must take place at the John Hunter Hospital, at Maitland, or in Gosford, contributing to waits in some areas of up to three years.

REGIONAL and rural communities are now at "breaking point", with "significantly poorer health outcomes" compared to their city counterparts, including higher chronic disease and premature death rates, a parliamentary inquiry has found.

The stories told by community members, health care professionals and others paint a picture of a rural health system that is experiencing 'significant difficulties and challenges' and in some instances is in crisis.