A TWEED MP is calling for better co-operation between the two Tweed hospitals and improved cross-border health arrangements between states.

While patients at Tweed Hospital are being treated in corridors, Murwillumbah District Hospital is only three-quarters full, Geoff Provest told the NSW Parliament last week.

Forty per cent of patients at Tweed Hospital are from Queensland.

“Murwillumbah hospital is operating at 75% capacity whereas The Tweed Hospital is operating at 107% capacity,” Mr Provest said. “That is difficult to understand. There must be greater co-operation.

“I see the hard work of the paramedics and their interaction with the emergency department at the hospital, but the emergency department is often at bursting capacity.”

But Mr Provest said the government was heading in the right direction with the introduction of the Health Services Amendment Bill.

“It is about transparency and giving power back to the local community and supporting them,” he said.

“It is important that we bridge the gap between the health system and the local community.”

With more than 40% of Tweed Hospital patients coming from across the border, Mr Provest said they need to rely on the Queensland health system.

“Queensland has a rapidly expanding population and Tweed is one of the fastest-growing regional areas in NSW, currently growing at around 3%pa.

“In the next three to five years another 20,000 home sites are due for approval.

“That is why this bill will give real hope to the doctors and nurses.

“The Tweed has experi- enced the situation of not being able to fill positions. Doctors and nurses are available but they choose to go to work in another state because of the better conditions and the respect that they are shown.”

Mr Provest said he would meet with the Minister for Health to explore greater co-operation with the Queensland Government.