A DEBATE on the floor of parliament could spell big changes to hospital services in Tamworth and Armidale.
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Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall led the debate in state parliament late on Thursday afternoon, where several speakers had their say on the challenges of rural health.
Mr Marshall tabled the petition with more than 16,000 signatures calling for the splitting of the Hunter New England Local Health district, and to directly employ doctors in rural hospitals, and dramatically increase nursing numbers.
Several speakers spoke on the issue in parliament including Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson.
Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor opposed the split in a response in October in which said she would call on the government to accelerate the Murrumbidgee model.
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Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said in the debate people in the district should be cautious about a split, because John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle - which is the lead referral hospital or base of HNEH - provides services and outreach to smaller hospitals.
He said the Murrumbidgee model "seems to be working" in regional and rural areas, and that "we're doing more on that, that we'd like the federal government to actually assist us on that front".
Under the Murrumbidgee model, doctors have a right of private practice, but are employed by the hospital.
Mr Marshall told the Leader that means the doctors will be employees of NSW Health.
"Which means not only is the insurance covered, they get sick leave, they get holidays, they get all the things that they don't get in a private GP practice," he said.
Mr Marshall said what he took from the debate is an agreement from the regional health minister, and the health minister, that the Murrumbidgee model will be implemented.
For the model to be implemented, the Commonwealth must sign off on exemptions to the Health Insurance Act 1973.
Mr Marshall said he "knows the government is not going to split the Hunter New England Health district".
"I think it's something worthy and that I'll continue to campaign for," he said.
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Eva Baxter
Eva is a Northern Daily Leader journalist based in Tamworth. She covers health, politics, energy, arts & entertainment, business, community, and a bit of everything else.
Eva is a Northern Daily Leader journalist based in Tamworth. She covers health, politics, energy, arts & entertainment, business, community, and a bit of everything else.
