CWA of NSW endorses inquiry findings and calls for urgent action on regional NSW’s ‘health crisis’

The Country Women’s Association (CWA) of NSW has endorsed the findings of the Legislative Inquiry into the health outcomes and access to health and hospital services in rural, regional, and remote NSW and eagerly awaits the State Government’s response to the 43 recommendations made.

“These findings validate the lived experiences of our members and their communities who have long warned of an emerging health crisis in regional and remote NSW,” said newly-elected CWA of NSW President Joy Beames.

“The recommendations align with, and respond to, the issues raised by the CWA of NSW in our written submission and subsequent appearance at the Inquiry.

“In our submission we called for: improved levels of funding appropriately allocated to address community health needs; the provision of and access to comprehensive physical and mental health care services for all residents; the recruitment, training and retention of a primary health workforce; and appropriate funding to support patients to access the service and care needed.”

At the CWA of NSW state conference last week, a motion of urgency was passed by the almost  500 delegates in attendance from across NSW, calling for immediate action by state and federal governments to address the current crisis in the provision of primary medical services as a result of the lack of general practitioners and medical staffing in hospitals in rural NSW.  

“For years, the CWA has lobbied governments to address the disparities in health outcomes, access, and quality of care for people living in rural, regional, and remote NSW. It is now apparent that ongoing neglect has resulted in a decline of health services and outcomes for people living outside of major metropolitan centres in NSW,” Joy said.

“It is not acceptable that many regional hospitals and health services have to be so depleted before action is taken.”

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