Major organisations unite to bring good health to the bush
24 March 2004
» Download Good health to rural communities: A collaborative policy document [PDF 552 Kb]
» See also: NSW Shires Association welcomes rural health plan
Five of Australia's major organisations with an interest in rural health have come together in collaboration on a ten point plan aimed at bringing good health to Australia's regional, rural and remote communities. The document, "Good Health to Rural Communities", was launched today by the Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the National Party, the Hon. John Anderson.
The Rural Doctors Association of Australia, the Australian Local Government Association, the National Farmers' Federation, the Country Women's Association of Australia and the Health Consumers of Rural and Remote Australia are directly involved in building a sound future for Australia's rural communities.
Each of our member organisations recognises the vital importance of access to quality health care as crucial to the long-term economic sustainability of rural Australia.
Doctors and consumers, mayors and councillors in regional and rural communities, country women and our nation's farmers have come together to endorse practical and sound strategies to address this challenge.
This document aims to inform politicians and all policy-makers of the most imperative issues to improving the status of rural health care. While much has been done, much more remains to be accomplished. We seek the opportunity to work with governments, oppositions and policy-makers alike to ensure better healthcare for all Australians.
"For a community to be economically viable it must also be a healthy community," said Dr Sue Page, President of the Rural Doctors Association of Australia. "This is a unique document in that it brings together five discrete groups, with a wide variety of policy priorities, to declare their shared position on practical ways of sustaining a healthy rural Australia."
The President of the Australian Local Government Association, Councillor Mike Montgomery, acknowledged the very significant workforce measures taken by the Australian Government to address regional doctor shortages. "The workforce measures are a credit to the Government. But there are opportunities to do more if we work together. Councils are still being forced to step in to purchase accommodation, surgeries and even entire hospitals, often with Federal, state or private sector help, in order to retain community access to critical health services, even though this is rightly the responsibility of other spheres of government," he said.
"The availability of quality health services within regional Australia is an essential element in creating a vibrant and attractive business and social environment in our country towns, this collaborative plan sets out the foundations to achieve this important national objective," said Mr Peter Corish, President of the National Farmers' Federation.
Mrs Myra Pincott, President of the Country Women's Association of Australia, stated that "the CWAA is pleased to have had input into this project to advise Governments on how Good Health to the Bush can be achieved. We also appreciate the thorough community consultative approach which has led to our organisations signing off in support," she said today.
Ms Margaret Brown, National Chair of Health Consumers of Rural and Remote Australia, today confirmed that "improved access to quality health services for people in the bush is HCRRA's core business. This 10 point plan not only highlights shortcomings in these services but provides practical solutions to address the shortcomings. HCRRA is pleased to support the Plan," she said.
- Media contacts
- RDAA
- Amalia Matheson, Public Affairs: 02 6273 9303 or 0418 265 690
- ALGA
- Rohan Greenland, Public Affairs: 02 6122 9434 or 0412 85 9434
- CWAA
- Myra Pincott, President: 0429 346 236
- HCRRA
- Margaret Brown, National Chair: 08 8577 4033
- NFF
- Mairi Barton, General Manager - Public Relations: 02 6273 3855
