Inquiry into healthcare and health services in rural, regional and remote NSW hands down its findings to the NSW government

Inquiry into healthcare and health services in rural, regional and remote NSW hands down its findings to the NSW government

This inquiry was established on 16 September 2020 to inquire into and report on health outcomes and access to health and hospital services in rural, regional and remote New South Wales and has just handed down its scathing report.

We knew that it would tell us what we already know, and it has. The big question was always what will be done. The Report highlights the inferior services that lead to poorer outcomes, workforce shortages and pressures issues, that it is driven by fear about speaking out, state | federal funding issues just to name a few. It contains 22 findings and 44 recommendations. There is much to be done at the primary care level just so that people can get to see a doctor in the first instance. In one media interview with Helen Dalton, the independent member for Murray, she stated that GP numbers had dropped from 800 to 200 over the last 10 years.

One recommendation is that the committee should hold another inquiry in two years’ time to see if the changes have been implemented.

Following the announcement of the Inquiry, over 700 submissions were lodged. There were 15 hearings across regional NSW over 11 months. The report and its recommendations are now with the government for consideration. The government is required to respond to the recommendations within six months. Read the full report here