Sophie standing up for Rural Hospitals and Doctors
25-February-2009
Sophie Mirabella MP, Federal Liberal Member for Indi today gave a speech to the parliament regarding the Rudd Government’s review of the RRMA (Rural, Regional and Metropolitan areas) health classifications.
In a passionate address Mrs Mirabella said that the protection and appreciation of rural doctors and country hospitals “was of significant concern to all residents and families in the North East and to her”.
“The review that Labor has embarked upon has the potential to rob rural and regional areas of vital health services such as hospitals and doctors which so many people in our area rely on,” Mrs Mirabella said.
The RRMA classification system is used to determine the eligibility for a range of rural health programs including workforce incentives, retention grants for GPs and subsidies for other health practitioners who work in rural and remote areas.
“Labor’s proposal is seriously worrying given that the Rural Doctors Association of Australian has warned it could lead to an exodus of current doctors, decreased incentives for young doctors to train in the country and the possible closure of small regional hospitals,” Mrs Mirabella said.
“I have called on the Minister to make the review outcomes public. This will provide certainty for country families who are worried and may be left worse off after this review.”
“The Coalition will oppose any changes that lead to a decrease in doctors and nurses in rural and regional areas. We care about rural and regional areas and strongly believe country people should have the same health services as those in the city,” Mrs Mirabella said.
“Residents in many of our communities have been contacting my office, raising serious concerns about the Rudd Government’s plans. I have taken those concerns with me to Canberra and have raised it with many of my colleagues and the parliament.”
“This review could see rural health services and facilities given less funding and consideration. This is a sad indictment on the Rudd Government given that they are spending $42 billion with none of that money going to health,” Mrs Mirabella concluded.