Organised by the Corowa Wahgunyah Rutherglen Health Action Group, the petition urges the Federal Government to fully fund the Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital redevelopment in line with the 2021 Clinical Services Plan and invest in regional hospitals such as Corowa and Urana to relieve pressure on the region’s overstretched health system.
CWRHAG member, John Crothers said having the petition accepted by the Standing Committee was “great news”.
“Half measures cannot be afforded,” Mr Crothers said.
“The 2021 Clinical Services Plan gives us the blueprint; a fully funded, fit-for-purpose Albury Wodonga Hospital that will serve our region for the next 30 years.”
Fellow member, Sally Hughes said health outcomes should never depend on which side of the Murray you live.
“Our community deserves the same standard of care as Wagga, Bendigo or Ballarat,” Ms Hughes said.
The petition called for a fully funded, single-site hospital on the Border.
In October last year, Dr Haines handed a letter to the Prime Minister signed by more than 200 local doctors explaining that the proposal to upgrade the Albury Hospital was not fit for purpose and would not meet the needs of the Border region.
“A huge number of residents have acted on their concerns and demand a better deal for their health,” Dr Haines said.
“The 2021 Clinical Services Plan and NSW Special Commission of Inquiry into Healthcare Funding Report was clear; our growing population and complex health needs require a single-site, greenfield hospital.
“Albury Wodonga Health is the only cross-border health service in Australia.
“Without proper investment in hospital infrastructure, our region risks a worsening health crisis.”
