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Increased specialist services for people living in rural NSW

The Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator Kay Patterson, today announced funding of over $778,000 to increase access to specialist health services for people living in rural NSW.

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9 September 2002

Increased specialist services for people living in rural NSW

The Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator Kay Patterson, today announced funding of over $778,000 to increase access to specialist health services for people living in rural NSW.

The funding is part of the Federal Government's Medical Specialist Outreach Assistance Program (MSOAP) and comes in addition to $5.4 million that has already been provided to rural and regional areas of NSW over a three year period from 2001-2002 to 2003-2004.

"The funding of $778,000 will be provided over two years to support specialist services based in the Area Health Service regions known as the Mid Western, Southern, New England, Northern Rivers and Macquarie," Senator Patterson said.

"This funding is the result of extensive community consultation including the NSW Department of Health. The consultation process has identified the specialist services most needed."

"There are currently 80 MSOAP projects underway in rural NSW delivering a wide range of specialist services. This increased funding brings a significant additional level of specialist medical care to people living in country NSW," the Minister said.

Senator Patterson said visiting specialists would include dermatologists, neurologists, endocrinologists, gynaecologists, psychiatrists and paediatricians.

In addition to providing specialist medical services, the visiting specialists will provide educations, training and liaison support for local specialists and GPs," she said.

The Medical Specialist Outreach Assistance Program helps bring specialist services closer to home for people living outside the major metropolitan areas. It is part of the Federal Government's $562 million Regional Health Strategy - More Doctors, Better Services which is designed to deliver improved health services for country Australia.

Media Contact: Marnie Gaffney, Senator Patterson's office 03 9657 9577