Candidate for Central Wheatbelt Lachlan Hunter has vowed to fight for improved palliative care and extended stay options at the Cunderdin Health Service, saying the Labor Government had failed the community.
“In 2013 the Shire of Cunderdin made a deal with Government to become one of two trial sites for a Primary Healthcare Centre,” Mr Hunter said.
“The one-stop-shop was supposed to include palliative and respite care for those that needed it, it was part of the deal.”
Mr Hunter said it was a gross breach of trust by WACHS and the Minister for Health, stating they have failed to listen to the concerns of the community.
“Health care services in regional WA have been neglected by this Labor Government,” he said.
“They are sitting on a massive budget surplus but have failed on essential services like health and education in the bush.
“I will be working with the Cunderdin Shire and community to push for these vital improvements and commit to making it a priority for a future Nationals’ Government.”
Local Member Mia Davies raised the issue in Parliament twice last week.
“The Labor Government has swept aside concerns raised by Council and those impacted,” she said.
“I have been involved in many of these discussions since the proposal was first put forward in 2012 by our Government.
“Communities that are willing to try something new, to test the boundaries of what is possible and share some risk when a proposal involves removing what they always knew and trusted – these communities deserve the Government’s support.”
Ms Davies said it was always on the cards that the model and service would need to be modified or amended once in operation.
“It was a new service, and it was always possible that changes would be required once up and running,” she said.
“In Parliament last week they have stubbornly said there’s no need for any changes,” she said.
“It is heart-breaking to hear of people that have been shifted to other communities for their final days, or shipped down the hill because there is no capacity for short-stay observation outside the emergency department.”
