RfR provides funding injection for health in the bush, Holt
Author: Colin Holt
Published on: 19-May-2011
Royalties for Regions will provide a long overdue injection of funds for a rural health system that was described as ‘bloody unsafe’ by a former chief executive of the WA Country Health Service in 2008*.
The Nationals WA State President Hon Colin Holt said the $565 million Southern Inland Health Initiative package announced today was the beginning of the end of chronic neglect by successive Governments.
“The words of Christine O’Farrell, former CEO of the WA Country Health Service, struck a chord with The Nationals in 2008,” Mr Holt said.
“She blamed the country health system’s inability to cope on the ‘metrocentric’ attitudes of bureaucrats and politicians, saying there was ongoing chronic neglect.
“Royalties for Regions has enabled a new flexibility for policy development in country health and additional funding to allow this State Government to address some of those fundamental concerns.”
The Southern Inland Health Initiative includes a $240 million investment in the health workforce and the provision of health services and a $325 million in capital works.
“The Nationals WA surveyed all regional Local Government’s last year to quantify just how much ratepayers were underwriting the provision of health services in their local community and results were astounding,” Mr Holt said.
“One Shire was providing up to $900,000 per annum to keep a GP in the town.
“This package will put private GPs back into country towns and build a supportive network around them to reduce burn-out.”
Mr Holt said The Nationals were driving change in the way Government dealt with the provision of key services and infrastructure in regional Western Australia.
“Detractors of this unique programme should take a moment to look at the State and the difference in the aspirations, attitudes and fortunes of regional communities since its introduction,” Mr Holt said.
“It’s just a shame the Federal Government didn’t take the opportunity to do the same – imagine the difference we could make with a matching dollar for dollar Commonwealth commitment to Royalties for Regions.”
