NSW Shires Association welcomes rural health plan
24 March 2004
The Shires Association of NSW has welcomed a proposal for the federal government to fund medical clinics and hospitals in rural areas.
Association President Cr Phyllis Miller said the plan, being considered by Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson, would provide certainty to many rural communities that are struggling to attract medical professionals.
"Communities that can provide walk in-walk out clinics which don't require any capital investment from doctors have a much better chance of encouraging GPs to come to their area.
"A number of council areas have already built and own clinics and have found that they have been quite successful in bringing doctors to town. But building and operating a medical clinic is a very expensive exercise and most rural councils simply don't have that kind of money available.
"Currently many country areas are without a local doctor."
The 10-point proposal also includes recommendations to keep bush hospitals open, establish a program to bring medical specialist to rural areas and the introduction of more attractive bonded medical school places
Cr Miller said federal funding would help reduce the burden on councils and ensure country people had access to medical care.
"Councils are spending a huge amount of money on healthcare, not just by funding clinics but by offering subsidised housing for medical professionals, creating bursaries for midwives and developing scholarships to get local kids through university so they can come home and practise.
"These are excellent and important initiatives but providing proper healthcare requires the cooperation of other spheres of government.
"It's time the other spheres of government realised that country people are not getting good value for their healthcare dollar at the moment. People in the country pay their taxes, they pay the Medicare levy, they pay their rates and some also pay for private health insurance.
"The other spheres of government should follow local government's lead and put more back into rural health services."
Cr Miller said Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson deserved credit for considering the proposals.
"We have seen a real turnaround from Mr Anderson. He is listening to the concerns of the bush on many issues and we are pleased our voices are being heard."
The Shires Association is conducting a major research project this year into rural health. The research will ascertain the level of council financial contributions to rural health services as well as identifying some of the proactive measures councils are taking to attract and support healthcare professionals.
- Media contact
- Kendi Burness: 0419 406 400
- For comment
- Cr Phyllis Miller: 0419 600 877
