OPEN LETTER TO MINISTER CALLS FOR HEALTH REFORM

A coalition of healthcare, community and local government groups has lent its voices to an open letter urging the NSW Government to implement important reforms to rural and regional healthcare across NSW.

 The letter is part of a six-point action plan developed by the Independent Member for Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr, based on the recommendations of the Select Committee on Remote, Rural and Regional Health, which Dr McGirr chaired. 

The open letter – addressed to the Minister for Health and Regional Health, Ryan Park – outlines how the six points will improve health care, to be funded by redirecting the $270m spent per year on locums towards hiring local staff who are strongly connected to their communities. 

“I’m grateful to Minister Park for recently meeting with me to discuss my plan but this issue is so important that we need our open letter to show the minister how strongly regional communities feel about their right to quality healthcare,” Dr McGirr said. 

“The letter is a powerful statement from some of the most influential organisations in rural and regional NSW and I hope the minister will listen to those voices and implement the changes we need to ensure country communities can thrive.” 

Temora-based Rural Generalist Dr Rachel Christmas has backed the six-point plan as an important roadmap towards urgently needed reform. 

“It’s essential that health services listen and act upon the concerns of their communities and to ensure that services – not least birthing services – are delivered as close to home for patients as possible,” she said. 

“I’m proud to support Dr McGirr’s advocacy for the State Government to deliver the services that country communities deserve but it’s equally important that the Federal Government step up and deliver primary health care support that will make a real difference.”  

Dr McGirr said it was now time for the State Government to follow through with effective action based on the six points of the action plan. 

“We are making it clear to the minister that this is the government’s opportunity to implement reforms and reverse the decline in rural and regional health care,” Dr McGirr said. 

“The groups supporting the plan are made up of leaders and experts who are dedicated to the welfare of their communities, and I thank them for their advocacy. 

“The onus is now on the government to listen to these voices from the regions and deliver real change for the better.” 

The open letter was sent to Minister Park this week.