A Redmond Liberal Government has backed up its commitment to improving country health services with a funding injection of $2.5 million to supply a MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) machine and chemotherapy treatment at Pt Augusta Hospital.
Opposition Leader Isobel Redmond and candidate for Stuart Dan van Holst Pellekaan made the announcement outside Pt Augusta Hospital this morning, where currently Upper Spencer Gulf and outback residents have to travel to Adelaide to undergo either treatment.
Isobel Redmond said the $2.1 million for the MRI machine and $400,000 to staff chemotherapy treatment was a strong demonstration of how seriously she took her commitment to not just maintain country health services, but to improve them for regional South Australians.
“The Rann Labor Government has illustrated its complete disregard for country health by attempting to downgrade local hospitals and removing community involvement by getting rid of local hospital boards,” Ms Redmond said.
“Today’s commitment of a MRI machine for Pt Augusta Hospital is actually fulfilling a promise that both State and Federal Labor Governments have been unable to follow through with.
“By rebuilding the Royal Adelaide Hospital on site we can save $1 billion which can then be reinvested into country and metropolitan hospitals – people should be able to get services where they live and commitments like the one Dan and I are making today will mean this becomes a reality.”
Candidate for Stuart Dan van Holst Pellekaan said funding to staff chemotherapy treatment and to purchase a MRI machine will mean residents of the Upper Spencer Gulf and outback regions would not have to travel to Adelaide for treatment.
“We all know when we are unwell we really just want to be with our family and friends and a commitment that the Pt Augusta Hospital will be able to provide chemotherapy and MRI scans, will make travel to Adelaide for these treatments unnecessary.
“It’s not just being away from home that is upsetting but travelling such distances forces people to put their lives on hold and people often don’t have accommodation in Adelaide.
“Maintaining and improving country health services in Stuart is a priority for me and I was extremely pleased that Isobel did not need any convincing that this funding was urgently needed.
“This commitment from a Redmond Liberal Government is in addition to an assurance that country health boards will be reinstated so local communities once again have control over their own health services.”
Background to funding announcement:
MRI
On 12 February 2008 the Federal Labor Government confirmed the 15 locations for the Government’s election commitment to expand Medicare-eligible MRI services.
The two locations in SA were Morphett Vale and Pt Augusta – Pt Augusta has not received its promised machine. This is the only MRI machine out of the 15 that has not been delivered.
The Rann Labor Government called for tenders to operate a MRI machine in Pt Augusta during mid 2008.
The Rann Government said none of the tenders fit the criteria even though there were tender applications lodged by Pt Augusta doctors.
Upper Spencer Gulf and outback residents have been let down by both levels of government.