Ellis makes regional health election priority

The Member for Narungga has pledged to make regional healthcare the focus of the upcoming State Election, identifying it as the most important issue that regional South Australians are facing.

“With the election now just four months away, I reaffirm my intention to stand again for the people of Narungga on the issues that are important to the people of Narungga, and there is no more important issue than regional health care”, Mr Ellis said.

“Over the course of my near four years as the local MP I have been pleased to support a number of initiatives designed to help improve regional health services and we have made some inroads,” Mr Ellis said.

“A brand new surgery procedure room at Yorketown, the implementation of local health boards, after hours x-rays at Wallaroo, significant capital upgrades at hospitals across the electorate and, importantly, three FTE doctors based at Wallaroo Hospital have been welcome changes but it quite clear that there is much work still to be done.

“I pledge to the people of Narungga that this will be at the forefront of my election campaign and, if re-elected, my primary focus over the next term.

“We need to fundamentally change the way we deliver health care in regional SA, the model of locum doctors delivering A&E services at hospitals across the State is not working and it is not sustainable.

“I have been consulting on a number of measures that I believe could be implemented easily and would make a significant difference to regional health care immediately.

“I look forward to releasing that platform to the community shortly and continuing to advocate for improved regional health care throughout the election campaign.

“Regional health care has been an issue for a lot longer than the pandemic and will continue to be an issue for long after the pandemic is over – it is vital that we sort it out.”