REAL ACTION ON HEALTH FOR MACQUARIE
08-August-2010
The Liberals will provide $2.4 million to take real action on health care in the Blue Mountains and the Hawkesbury if elected as a Coalition Government.
Louise Markus MP together with the Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon Peter Dutton MP, announced the funding during his visit to the Macquarie electorate today.
“A Coalition Government will provide $1.2 million towards the cost of a new CT Scanner for Blue Mountains Hospital, $1 million for expanded after hours services at Hawkesbury District Hospital in conjunction with the Hawkesbury-Hills Division of General Practice (HHDGP), and $200,000 for the Erik Hausoul Sarcoma Foundation”, Mrs Markus announced.
“This CT Scanner will enable residents in the Blue Mountains to have necessary tests undertaken locally without needing to travel long distances to Lithgow or Nepean hospitals for similar services.
“Last week’s media carried evidence that Labor has dropped the ball on health infrastructure in the Blue Mountains. Suggestions that the existing Scanner is still operating beyond its useful life has the potential to jeopardise the healthcare of local residents.
“After seeing this story, I immediately contacted Peter Dutton and we agreed that it was necessary to take the real action local residents expect and deserve. That’s why we’ve committed to funding a new CT Scanner if elected to government on Saturday 21 August 2010.
Mrs Markus also announced $1 million for Hawkesbury District Hospital in conjunction with the HHDGP, for several key developments including: to expand after-hours services; provide space for additional doctors to practice; expand preventative health activities and better chronic disease management; expand training opportunities for medical students to address the GP workforce shortage in the Hawkesbury; and to increase access to culturally appropriate indigenous health services.
“The Hawkesbury District Hospital and the HHDGP offer a high-level of care to residents in the Hawkesbury region. It is a successful hospital system which operates under a Board of Management – a local hospital run by locals.
“This additional funding will ensure a high level of care continues to be provided to residents in the Hawkesbury, again avoiding the need to travel long distances to Nepean or Blacktown hospitals in case of an emergency.
Mrs Markus also announced $200,000 for the Erik Hausoul Sarcoma Foundation.
“Every year hundreds of teenagers are diagnosed with Sarcomas. The survival rate is low due to a lack of awareness about the importance of early detection and a lack of research to find a cure. Funding will ensure the foundation is able to develop education and awareness programs for parents, students and schools relating to teenage cancers and sarcomas.
Mrs Markus said she was proud of her record in delivering health services for her community.
“In 2004 Tony Abbott and I promised an MRI licence for the Blacktown Hospital and we delivered it, despite the deliberate attempts of NSW Labor Government to block its delivery.
“In 2010, Tony Abbott, Peter Dutton and I commit an additional $2.4 million for health in the Blue Mountains and the Hawkesbury, and as a Coalition Government, we will deliver it. We will end the talk about health and deliver real action on the infrastructure our health service needs for the future.