Cry For Health

Independent member for Murray Helen Dalton said it comes as no surprise people in far west NSW are dying on average five years earlier than their Sydney counterparts.

The Australian Institute has just released a report into life expectancy and health in regional and remote Australia, which found far west residents are dying at 79-years of age compared to 84 in Sydney.

The report also found far west residents are twice as likely to die prematurely while potentially avoidable deaths are 2.5 times more likely.

Western NSW also has a disproportionately high rate of suicide (two times higher) than the city – a trend that has been increasing for the last decade.

Mrs Dalton said this is a frightening report highlighting the inequities in rural health care.

“There is nothing surprising in this report.

“No matter where I travel across the electorate, the number one issue is always health and lack of access to services.

“I mean we have people who have to travel 100kms just to get a dressing change, god forbid if we need treatment for something serious,” Mrs Dalton said.

She said it is no surprise suicide rates are high in the far west when there is no dedicated mental health unit in any hospital across the seat of Murray.

“Barriers and disincentives discourage mental health professionals from working in rural areas and often government positions are temporary or part time with lower rates of pay.”

Mrs Dalton said this report highlights the need for change right across rural health because what we have isn’t working.

“We need a new model of care right across Murray including a demerge from Murrumbidgee Local Health District and the inclusion of Balranald hospital into a smaller rural focused health network.

“We also need hospital boards run by local people.”

She said a recent rural health inquiry resulted in 44 recommendations and implementing them as a matter of urgency will start to address some of these issues, and must be a priority for healthcare in NSW.