August 10, 2010
Targeted assistance to boost the rural health workforce and improved mental health services are key features of the Coalition’s health plan, according to Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester.
Mr Chester said The Nationals and Liberals would combine to provide $1.5 billion more for mental health services if they formed government after the Federal election on August 21.
Other highlights of the Coalition’s plan released this week include:
* $3.1 billion for 2800 new public hospital beds.
* $90 million for the establishment and operation of a community controlled public hospital system.
* $150 million to establish the Nursing Professional Development Fund.
Mr Chester said the announcement built on the already announced measures to improve health services in rural and regional areas inlcuding:
* $12 million for up to 300 bonuses of $10,000 for nurse practitioners working in remote communities that have no resident medical practitioner.
* $10 million to double the number of Medical Rural Bonded Scholarships.
* $3 million for an additional 100 scholarships for rural and regional nurse practitioners.
* $2 million to pilot a dental rural bonded scholarships program.
Mr Chester said the Coalition’s plan would ensure that local communities had a say in the direction of their local health services.
“The Nationals recognise that local hospital boards, doctors and nurses are best placed to ensure their local hospital management is responsive and accountable,” Mr Chester said.
“They are made up of prominent community representatives with financial and management expertise as well as senior hospital representatives of the medical, nursing and allied health fields.
“That is why under a Coalition Government, they will be able to respond to the needs of patients and staff at their local health services.”
Mr Chester, who has been actively campaigning for greater incentives to attract and retain medical specialists in Gippsland, welcomed the commitment which will go directly towards boosting health services in rural and regional areas, including Gippsland, if the Coalition is elected on August 21.
He said the RDAA had reported that at least 1800 additional doctors were urgently required in regional communities across Australia and the AMA had raised concerns that more than one-third of current doctors intended to retire in the next five years.
“One of the biggest issues in rural and regional communities like Gippsland is the shortage of medical specialists but the issue isn’t receiving the attention it deserves,” Mr Chester said.
“The Rudd-Gillard Government developed a health policy but it doesn’t go far enough in tackling the twin challenges of a doctor shortage and an ageing workforce.
“Instead it has left residents in rural and regional communities concerned that it will result in less control for communities over local health services.
“This has certainly been the case in Gippsland where I have spoken to several health service providers and it is a key issue amongst local residents.
“Every Australian whether they live in a metropolitan area or rural area, deserves access to quality healthcare services.”