A new Federal inquiry into specialist healthcare access is giving residents across Farrer another opportunity to highlight the challenges of accessing timely and affordable medical care.
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The House Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Disability has launched an inquiry examining barriers to specialist healthcare, including affordability, referral pathways, waiting times and patient outcomes.
Federal Member for Farrer David Farley said the committee needed to hear directly from residents about the realities of accessing specialist services across regional communities.
“In order for meaningful change to be achieved and health outcomes to be improved, the committee needs to hear your experiences,” he said.
“From Hillston through to Narrandera, to the western sections of the electorate over to Deniliquin and even in the cities of Albury and Griffith, I know people have had issues accessing specialists and some have had to travel long distances to reach them.”
The inquiry comes as regional communities continue to grapple with many of the issues identified through previous health reviews, including the landmark NSW rural and regional health inquiry which found country residents experience poorer health outcomes, greater barriers to care and significant workforce shortages.
In Deniliquin, concerns about healthcare access have also been central to ongoing advocacy for a new hospital and broader health precinct.
In relaunching hospital renewal as a health priority last year, Edward River Council Deputy Mayor Kellie Crossley noted that many services identified by the community in the Murrumbidgee Local Health District’s Clinical Services Plan could not be delivered within the existing hospital footprint.
She said improving local access to services would help reduce the need for extensive travel and ease pressure on larger regional hospitals.
Cr Kellie Crossley
Mr Farley said issues such as cost, distance and waiting times would be key focuses of the new Federal Government inquiry, along with exploring innovative models of care that could improve access in rural and regional areas.
“Healthcare access shouldn’t be defined by your postcode or whether you live in the city or on a farm,” he said.
“Everyone deserves equal access, which is what the end goal of this inquiry needs to focus on,” he said.
Residents have until November 20 to complete an online survey.
Formal submissions addressing the inquiry’s terms of reference are being accepted until October 16.
Mr Farley said community participation would be critical if the inquiry was to deliver practical outcomes for regional Australia.
More information about the inquiry, including the online survey and submission process, is available at www.aph.gov.au/health.
