Rural Health Minister drops into north-west Queensland to talk health reform
National priorities and options for health reform were on the agenda when the Minister for Rural and Regional Health, Warren Snowdon, met with local health professionals in Mount Isa and Cloncurry, Queensland.
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27 January 2010
National priorities and options for health reform were on the agenda today when the Minister for Rural and Regional Health, Warren Snowdon, met with local health professionals in Mount Isa and Cloncurry, Queensland.
Mr Snowdon toured the Mt Isa Base Hospital, the town’s centre for Rural and Remote Health and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service. In Cloncurry, he visited the local hospital and Flinders Medical Centre.
He said the Rudd Government had already begun working to attract more GPs to the bush.
“GPs in Mt Isa and Cloncurry will soon be offered retention grants starting from $5,500 after six months and growing to $27,000 per year after five years. The grants are designed to encourage doctors to stay longer under Rudd Government’s $134.4 million Rural Workforce Strategy.
“Furthermore from 1 July 2010, a doctor who relocates from a major city to Cloncurry or Mount Isa, will also be provided with a relocation grant of up to $60,000.”
During his consultation Mr Snowdon outlined the findings of the final report of the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission (NHHRC), A Healthier Future for All Australians.
Mount Isa and Cloncurry are the latest community to take part in health reform consultations held across Australia since the release of the NHHRC report four months ago. It has made wide-ranging recommendations for system-wide changes to Australian health care.
At today’s consultations, Mr Snowdon outlined the recommendations to local health professionals and discussed their suggestions and priorities for improving the delivery of health services in both the local area and nationally.
“The Rudd Government is determined to get the reforms right and provide lasting and meaningful solutions for a health system under serious strain.”
All Australians can contribute to the discussion on the reforms via the website www.yourHealth.gov.au where copies of the reports can also be found.
Media contact: Alice Plate 0400 045 999
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