Action required on health petition

Member for Narungga Fraser Ellis has used the return to Parliament to call for action on regional health care and for the legislated inquiry into health care in Narungga to finally begin.

“Near 11,000 people signed our local petition because they believed it would lead to an objective outcome, a process that they could be a part of,” he said.

“Nine months later and the petition has yet to see the light of day and no one has had a chance to make a submission.

“The inquiry needs to begin as soon as possible so that the will of the people can be heard, like was intended when the rule was put in place.”

Mr Ellis made speeches in Parliament on Wednesday regarding health care in Narungga, including at Ardrossan Community Hospital and other sites.

“Despite the best efforts of the people who work in our local health services and our local health network the stories continue to roll in to my office,” Mr Ellis said.

“We continue to hear stories of subpar experiences that just wouldn’t be accepted in other parts of the state.

“The inquiry that we are supposed to get would be able to shed light on these stories, hear ideas for improvement from constituents and for the bureaucracy to share initiatives that have been attempted.”

A motion calling for Government intervention at Ardrossan to replace the services of the Community Hospital also passed the House in an amended version on Wednesday.

“Ardrossan is the largest town in the YP Council area, an attractive retirement destination and a wonderful community. It is surely worthy of Government investment,” Mr Ellis said.

“At Keith, where a similar community hospital also shut, the Government stepped in to provide a triage service with community paramedic and nurse practitioner for the community.

“That, at the very least, should be offered to Ardrossan.”