LABOR IGNORES PATERSON’S NEEDS

Bob Baldwin, Member for Paterson has committed to a plan to improve health services across the entire Paterson electorate.

Mr Baldwin said that a Coalition Government will boost after-hours GP services, give GP practices funding to expand, and increase Medicare rebates so that residents in Dungog, East Maitland, Port Stephens and the Great Lakes do not have to travel to hospital to see a doctor outside business hours.

“Local residents shouldn’t have to travel to hospital to see a GP just because it’s past 5pm, that’s why a Coalition Government will give GPs the support and incentives they need to open longer hours,” said Mr Baldwin.

“We will also ensure Medicare rebates are increased for both after-hours and long consultations.”

Mr Baldwin said that the ALP candidate had completely ignored the health needs of the greater Paterson electorate, choosing instead to focus on an empty promise for one part of the electorate.

“The ALP candidate says he is fighting for a GP Superclinic in Raymond Terrace but local people won’t be fooled,” said Mr Baldwin.

“Unfortunately, Labor says a lot and delivers very little: we’re still waiting on 33 of the 36 Superclinics Labor promised at the last election. Three have been delivered in three years. At that rate we’ll have to wait another 33 years for the first batch to be delivered, let alone this round of promises.”

A HealthOne clinic has already been planned for Raymond Terrace, to be run by Raymond Terrace Family Practice. This would include both GP and allied health services, such as physiotherapy.

“Instead of jeopardising the HealthOne clinic’s viability, the Federal Labor Government should be urging its New South Wales counterpart to push ahead with the project,” said Mr Baldwin.

“Worse yet, the Labor candidate has no plan to help people in the rest of the Paterson electorate, instead choosing to focus on an empty promise for one area.”

The Coalition Government has committed to increase after-hours GP services and deliver more doctors and nurses to regional areas by doubling the number of Medical Rural Bonded Scholarships.

On mental health, a Coalition Government will invest $1.5 billion to provide 800 new beds; establish Early Psychosis Intervention Centres; and fund an extra 60 headspace sites to give people a one-stop-shop for health information and services.

A Coalition Government will also boost aged care by converting 3000 beds, cutting red tape and providing convalescent care to assist up to 20,000 older people waiting in hospital to return home.

“Importantly, I am also working with Clarence Town Progress Association and the Hunter Rural Division of General Practice to help guarantee continued GP services for Clarence Town and surrounding residents,” said Mr Baldwin.