Wauchope Hospital Action Group spokesperson, Warwick Hain, used those stirring words to describe Mrs Sims who was removed from her role as Chief Executive Officer/Director of Nursing at the hospital late last month.

The decision raised the ire of the Wauchope community which responded through a series of locally generated campaigns which included the highly visible 'Hands Off' campaign.

And while Dr Hain lauded Mrs Sims' contribution to the Wauchope community during her tenure, he was less than complimentary of the North Coast Area Health Service.

"The treatment of Wilma Sims was atrocious," he said.

"Here was a competent hospital manager removed from her position simply to meet some mystical budgetry figure.

"Our group notes that there appears little savings to be made with the removal of this position. The area health service CEO, Chris Crawford, said the savings would be in the order of $100,000, but now Mrs Sims is employed out of the Port Macquarie Health Campus on virtually the same level.

"It is also noted that Mrs Sims is employed in a newly created position while a second position has been created for the general manager of Port Macquarie Base Hospital and Wauchope hospital.

"Where is the saving in that?

"We have been consistently saying that this is a short-sighted decision with no real benefits to Wauchope hospital, the Wauchope community or the area health service."

Dr Hain said Mrs Sims' achieved many outcomes in her role at the Wauchope hospital.

These included:

* The establishment of the rehabilitation facility,

* Won the North Coast Area Health Service award for Quality Service,

* Helped with the implementation of the current palliative care unit,

* Increased day surgery procedures at the hospital year on year,