Cooma was promised $1 million before the last state election for the establishment of a unit. The money is “in the bank” but there is disagreement between the local volunteer group, which secured the pre-election commitment, and health professionals over exactly how the money will be spent and what the dialysis unit will comprise.

Member for Monaro John Barilaro came to the rescue on Thursday to help the group sort through the health bureaucracy which the group claims is keeping them in the dark.

He said later there was a “small amount of disagreement” between the group and the health bureaucracy on what features should be included in the dialysis facility.

“I will be meeting with Dr Maxwell Alexander (the head of Southern Area Health) as a matter or urgency to ensure the $1 million is stretched as far as we can get it and to the best benefit of the community,” he said.

Cooma-Monaro regional renal dialysis group vice president Barbara Scanes said it was a very positive meeting.

“John Barilaro is fully behind us all the way and is going to pass on our qualms to Southern Area Health,” Mrs Scanes said.

“We are concerned that Southern Health is not communicating with us between meetings. We are hearing about what’s happening second hand.”

Mrs Scanes said Southern Area Health was still discussing the option of where the dialysis unit would be on the hospital grounds.

“Their architects are seeing what the cheapest option is and whether to extend the existing facility or look at a new location”.

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