Rural Health Priority for New Labour Government

Independent member for Murray Helen Dalton welcomed newly appointed Minister for Health Ryan Park, into Griffith last week.

 In a positive move for Murray and rural health, Mr Park toured both Griffith and Leeton Hospitals, meeting with health workers and hospital staff to hear firsthand the issues they are currently experiencing.

 Mr Park acknowledged government needs to do better when it comes to rural health and country NSW will be a priority moving forward.

 Mrs Dalton said it was wonderful to have a proactive and enthusiastic minister visit the region.

 “I sent Mr Park back to Sydney with an extensive health wish list to improve services for our region,” Mrs Dalton said.

 Mrs Dalton said it is unacceptable the further west you travel from Sydney, the lower your life expectancy.

 “We have had to sit back and watch our health services erode away to the point where our life expectancy is five years less than our mates in the city and it just not good enough.

 “I am really hoping a new government will be the start of some much needed change and better rural health outcomes for us all here in the country,” Mrs Dalton said.

 Mrs Dalton has been vocal in her support for a demerger of health services away from Murrumbidgee Regional Health District and she was pleased to note the commitment from Mr Park to look into the way health districts operate.

 “There is talk of  a special commission of inquiry into how health districts and services can be improved and this will be a great outcome for Murray.

 “We need to put the community back into community health and Griffith Hospital needs its own board and budget so it can make the appropriate health decisions for our region - not based on directives out of Sydney or Wagga.”

 Other items on the wish list included recruitment of health professionals directly from Griffith Base Hospital to service other hospitals in the electorate, a designated health precinct supported by university research, strong allied health recruitment programs and establishment of a mental health, drug and alcohol rehabilitation unit.

 “I want to see Griffith and Deniliquin reinstated as training hospitals for nurses and a focus across Murray on specialised women’s health services.

 “I remain passionate about health, and I will work alongside the minister and the new government to improve services for us all,” she said.