Wee Waa Health Service will open from 7am to 10pm, seven days a week, from Monday 5 October, in the biggest expansion of local care since hours were slashed more than three years ago.
The extension is made possible by the recruitment of additional nurses, who will join the service over the coming months.
“Longer opening hours will make it much easier for locals to access health care without having to drive to Narrabri,” said Member for Barwon Roy Butler.
“Although further work continues to expand access to on-site doctors at Wee Waa so the emergency department can fully function.”
In May 2023, Hunter New England Health cut the service’s hours from 24/7 to 8am to 5.30pm, citing a lack of staff. Since then there has been extensive lobbying by the local community and Mr Butler.
“Longer hours are evidence of results from the Independent Review of Wee Waa Health Service, which Health Minister Ryan Park commissioned at my request,” Mr Butler said.
“The Review identified the former operating structure alongside poor staff culture as barriers to recruiting more nurses to Wee Waa. It made 20 recommendations to rebuild the facility into a 24/7 health service with an emergency department.”
The review was delivered in July 2025, covering models of care, workforce recruitment and retention, community engagement, integrated care and partnerships, and Aboriginal health. Since then, Hunter New England Local Health District has introduced a shared leadership model across Wee Waa and Narrabri, appointed a permanent Health Service Manager for Wee Waa, expanded clinical education and training for staff, and strengthened partnerships with local healthcare providers.
Wee Waa Health Service is also supported by virtual care when on-site medical coverage is unavailable, giving patients access to Australian-trained emergency physicians. The Wee Waa Local Health Committee has worked closely with the district throughout the process, ensuring community voices remained central to the changes.
“Communities like Wee Waa deserve access to quality healthcare close to home, and these extended operating hours are an important step in delivering the recommendations of the independent review,” said Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park.
“We’ve worked closely with Hunter New England Local Health District to build a more sustainable local workforce and strengthen health services for the community. Member for Barwon Roy Butler has been an incredibly important voice for the Wee Waa community and I thank him for his ongoing advocacy to increase healthcare access in the region.”
Wee Waa Health Service Manager Natasha Middlemiss said the extension was a milestone for staff and the community.
“This is an exciting milestone for our staff, our Local Health Committee and the wider Wee Waa community,” Ms Middlemiss said. “It reflects the hard work and commitment of so many people who have worked together to strengthen healthcare close to home.”
“I’m incredibly proud of our team and excited to welcome our new nurses over the coming months. Their skills and experience will help us expand our operating hours while continuing to provide safe, high-quality care for our community.”
Mr Butler said he congratulated Hunter New England Health and the Local Health Committee for steering the changes, but made clear the fight for a full-time emergency department was not over.
“I look forward to continuing my work with the Local Health Committee to return Wee Waa Health Service to 24/7 operations with Visiting Medical Officers that can support an emergency department,” Mr Butler said.
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