UPDATE: A significant community movement is underway to reinstate Dr. John Stuchbery, a renowned surgeon recently terminated from his position by Albury Wodonga Health. Adrian Kay, director of the Gardens Medical Group, is rallying support from local doctors and residents, claiming overwhelming backing to reverse this controversial decision.
In a letter penned by Dr. Kay, he asserts that 140 doctors from the Albury-Wodonga region have endorsed the call for action. “The decision to dismiss Dr. Stuchbery is totally unacceptable,” Dr. Kay emphasized. His urgent appeal comes after many doctors and patients expressed shock and dismay at the abrupt termination, which is set to take effect on November 7, 2023.
Dr. Kay, who has been a cornerstone of the Gardens Medical Group since its inception 18 years ago, stated, “We cannot idly sit by and let this happen.” He noted that the community’s reaction has been overwhelmingly supportive, with many voicing their concerns about losing Dr. Stuchbery’s critical surgical services. “I was abroad when I learned of these events. The feedback has been tremendous, with 140 responses in favor of this letter,” he told The Border Mail on October 30.
The campaign to reinstate Dr. Stuchbery aims to highlight the essential services he provides, particularly for patients lacking health insurance. “His expertise in cancer and general surgery is irreplaceable,” Dr. Kay mentioned, stressing the dire need for continuity in patient care.
Dr. Stuchbery has served the community for 27 years, contributing significantly to the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre and ensuring that vulnerable patients receive necessary medical attention. The letter outlines that Dr. Stuchbery’s dismissal was not due to any clinical incompetence, a fact that adds to the community’s outrage and calls for action.
The escalating situation has prompted Dr. Kay to consider sending the letter to Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas and the executive team at Albury Wodonga Health. “This is just the first step. We need a unified voice from the community to emphasize that this decision is not acceptable,” he stated.
Dr. Kay’s appeal is gaining traction as individuals from various sectors of the community express their support for the campaign. He highlighted the importance of gathering votes to demonstrate the community’s commitment to reinstating Dr. Stuchbery. “Patients with complex conditions require access to higher-level facilities, which only the Albury hospital campus can provide,” he noted.
There is a growing consensus among local medical professionals that the board’s decision to terminate Dr. Stuchbery’s privileges is a profound misstep. Dr. Kay articulated the sentiment, “It is unjust and discriminatory to deny less privileged patients access to specialized care. Our patients deserve the best services available, and Dr. Stuchbery is integral to that promise.”
As this urgent situation unfolds, the community’s outcry continues to build momentum. Dr. Kay and his colleagues are determined to make their voices heard, stressing that the health and well-being of countless patients depend on reversing this decision.
Stay tuned for further developments as the campaign to reinstate Dr. John Stuchbery gains momentum, and the community rallies together in support of a beloved local surgeon.
