As a single parent of five children between the ages of 7 and 16, Ms Leigh said it has been "impossible" to access adequate care for three of them with additional needs.

When news first came out that the SERH was opening a paediatrics unit in 2019, it felt like a godsend for the mother who was previously told she would have to travel to Canberra to access care.

Although she had been on a long waiting list with her daughter for around 10 months, a call and letter from the child's school requesting urgent care meant they were seen within a month by previous SERH paediatrician Jeff Fletcher.

However, Ms Leigh said in the 12 months or so since Dr Fletcher left the hospital, her experience had been less than satisfactory.

"It has an answering machine and no one ever calls you back but when Dr Fletcher was there, his assistant Julie would always give you a phone call back," she said.

"With him I could walk in feeling like I've achieved something, but now I feel like I haven't achieved anything.

"I feel very helpless, I feel that I can't help my daughter, that's all I want to do is help my daughter and I'm reaching out trying to get help and the help isn't there," said Ms Leigh.

It hasn't just been Ms Leigh experiencing issues with the paediatrics department at SERH.

Many other parents expressed similar concerns on social media after Ms Leigh shared her experiences. Some detailing lost referrals, spending years on waiting lists and many unanswered calls.

Bega District News knows of one woman with a referral for her child to see a paediatrician who waited four months for an acknowledgement, only to be told they were then on an 18-month waiting list.

Others were concerned about all departments at the hospital and blamed state government funding issues and short-staffing for their experiences.

Ms Leigh shared their sentiment.

"It's so sad because they built this beautiful hospital, it's there to accommodate everyone but it's just not, they haven't got the staff," she said.

A small number of commenters said their experience with the paediatrics department at SERH had been positive, with some saying they had been able to see a new doctor in recent months who was able to assist their children.

Through contact with the Southern NSW Local District Health, BDN has been able to determine there are two new full-time paediatricians who are reportedly in the process of reassessing everyone on the waiting list and reaching out to parents with updates.

Since initially speaking with the BDN "at the end of her tether" in April, Ms Leigh has more recently been able to get appointments for all three children to see one of the new paediatricians at SERH.

"They have been finally answering phone calls and been really helpful. I told them I was going to go to Royal Far West [Sydney] and they actually told me they can help and have made monthly appointments for my kids instead of six monthly. Total turn around!"

Southern NSW LHD said it was working with the new paediatricians and expressed that there was a significant backlog of work they must first work their way through in order to improve the efficiency of the department.

The LHD also said the it would be soon announcing new programs that sought to address issues such as more streamlined services through various healthcare providers for children.

While Ms Leigh's quest for better healthcare for her children has resulted in a somewhat positive outcome, her account only adds to the growing alarm around rural and regional health care in NSW.

A parliamentary inquiry into regional health care in NSW has received almost 700 submissions since it began in late 2020.

The report includes dozens of anonymous accounts from frontline doctors and nurses who have spoken on the failings of a healthcare system.

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Nursing staff across the state have also expressed their concerns over unsafe work places as well as management issues resulting in workplace cultures of bullying and harassment.

Stories have been brought into the daylight about nursing staff having inadequate access to essential supplies like bandages and others not having proper meal breaks and working incredibly long shifts.

READ ALSO: SERH nurses declined pay rise offer in favour of mandating ratios

The inquiry held its first hearings in March. The inquiry has already held hearings in Deniliquin, Cobar, Wellington, and Bathurst. Upcoming hearings will also be webcast to improve accessibility.