Victoria’s regional health system is plagued by inefficiency, mismanagement and a lack of investment. Too often, regional Victorians must travel hundreds of kilometers to Melbourne or larger regional centers to access the specialist care they need. Where you live should not determine the healthcare you receive.

 

Our ambulance service is struggling to meet demand, hospital ramping is rife, and in too many regional communities a single ambulance is expected to cover hundreds of square kilometers. Regional hospitals also struggle to attract and retain doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals. This is not good enough.

 

The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party will fight for better healthcare closer to home, properly resourced regional hospitals, stronger ambulance coverage and improved access to specialists. Regional Victorians deserve the same access to quality healthcare as those living in Melbourne.

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• Expand specialist equipment into regional base hospitals

• Ensure an appropriate nurse-to-patient ratio

• Increase funding into regional and rural Ambulance services

• Increase funding for accessible emergency defibrillation machines, especially in rural areas

• Initiate programs to attract and retain GP’s and specialists into rural and regional areas

• Launch a parliamentary inquiry into regional and rural emergency departments and how they can improve their services to the public.