Health

Since 1999 we have seen the multi-million dollar upgrade of the Armidale Hospital including a new Intensive Care Unit and two extra Renal Dialysis chairs, a $500,000 refurbishment of  Glen Innes Hospital, the establishment of renal dialysis services at Armidale and Inverell Hospitals, Multi Purpose Health Services completed in Emmaville and Guyra, and more in the planning stages for Bingara, Tingha, Walcha and Warialda, an upgrade of the accident and emergency, palliative care and other sections of the Tenterfield Hospital and the opening of the Freda Mott Centre for family services in Armidale.

Shortages of specialists, GPs and nursing staff in rural areas continues to be a major issue. Establishment of a Rural Medical School at the University of New England in conjunction with the University of Newcastle will be a major step forward and will involve all centres in the local area. It will include upgrades for tertiary teaching purposes of the Armidale and Tamworth Hospitals. The first intake of 60 students is scheduled for 2008. Public dental services are still disgracefully under funded and the State and Federal governments should work together to provide more resources, particularly in rural and regional areas where the shortage of dentists and services is the worst. The new MPHS model is providing more local nursing home beds but there is still a shortage in rural communities compared to metropolitan cities.

The State Independent MPs have put forward a Rural Health Strategy that directly addresses the outstanding health issues in rural areas and proposes solutions through the locally based Rural Medical School, multi skilling of health professionals, increased broadband access to make specialist services more widely available and better public transport services. You can read the report, which has received strong community support and interest at government level on this website.

I receive many representations on health issues and will continue to put our position before the relevant Ministers and senior health officials to ensure the best possible outcomes for our communities.