When it was released two months ago the National Health and Hospital Reform Commission Report recommended that the federal government intervene in the state-run health system.

The forum will be held at the Ex-Services Club next Tuesday from 7pm and is aimed at engaging the community on the long-term future of health reform. The forum is open to all members of the public to attend.

Dr Kelly will canvass the community’s thoughts on the future of health and what is important to them.

Earlier this week, it was revealed in a budget estimates hearing, that NSW Health owed creditors $69 million in unpaid bills.

Then Acting Health Minister John Hatzistergos (Carmel Tebutt has since taken over as Health Minister) was quizzed at length on the issue on Monday and revealed that Greater Southern Area Health Service (GSAHS) owed $10.5 million to its creditors.

Mr Hatzistergos told the hearing that the Department of Commerce contract allows 30 days plus 30 days for payment to creditors, but that the department attempts to pay all bills within 45 days.

Mr Hatzistergos said NSW health paid $9.7 million to suppliers every day, or $3.6 billion a year and the unpaid percentage were very low.

On Tuesday GSAHS responded with a statement from CEO Heather Gray.

“GSAHS continues to work on a number of strategies to improve its financial position not only in regard to creditors but also its overall budget performance,” the statement said.

“GSAHS strives to ensure creditors are managed and paid in a timely manner. We acknowledge that from time to time this has not occurred and we regret delays in paying local suppliers of goods and services.”

The statement said GSAHS was “redesigning services to reduce waste, improve efficiency and improve and maintain safe patient care” and that “every effort was being made to address the payment of creditors within agreed terms.”

Creditors with questions about their account were encouraged to call the accounts payable inquiry line.