The service, which operates along the NSW Far South Coast from Ulladulla to Eden, receives government funding for one full-time clinic but due to the large area and high demand uses these funds to run three part-time clinics instead.

Katungul Bega, which treated 2461 patients last financial year of whom 692 were non-indigenous, is open three days a week.

Outside of these hours clients are advised to seek treatment at Bega District Hospital where the average waiting time is four to five hours.

Community member Donna Aldridge said the situation is unacceptable.

“We’ve been handing out an information sheet and asking people to sign a petition because we desperately need a full-time health service in this area,” she said,

“At the moment, the service receives no funding for doctors, dentists, mental health workers or even a drug and alcohol program.”

“How can we ever hope to close the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous health outcomes without a comprehensive, culturally-appropriate service?”

Ms Aldridge said the street campaign had been well received.

“It’s encouraging for us to see that there is a lot of concern among all sections of the local community.”

“We got over 70 signatures on the petition in the first two hours and this campaign will be ongoing.”

Katungul CEO Damien Matcham said it was great to see the community taking charge.

“At the end of the day, the community is my boss and I support Donna and the others one hundred per cent,” he said.

“They know that they are going to have to fight for this clinic and they also know that people are dying due to the inaction of decision makers,” he said.

“We’ve had seven patients die recently due to drug and alcohol related issues and we can’t even get (Federal MP) Mike Kelly or (Minister for Indigenous Health) Warren Snowdon to return our calls.”

Mr Matcham said, opening hours aside, the Katungul building had been deemed non-compliant with the Building Code of Australia and the Disability Discrimination Act.

“There is no disability access, no fire exits and we have an ongoing asbestos issue.”

“It is a disgrace and I urge Mr Kelly to sit down at the table with us rather than going on radio and talking about closing the gap.”

“It’s time to do something about Aboriginal health in South East NSW,” Mr Matcham said.