I opened the new Emergency Department at Casino Hospital last month.
This major $3 million upgrade is wonderful news for the Casino Hospital ED staff, patients and the wider community.
It was due to a Federal Government grant. The previous government promised this during the last election campaign. Visiting it after the election I could see it was badly needed and lobbied the [then] Health Minister Peter Dutton to also honour the commitment.
The upgrade includes a new triage area, two new resuscitation bays, a redesigned Ambulance entry, four new treatment bays, relocation of the ED waiting area, a multifunctional Safe Assessment Room, a dedicated ED staff room, a refurbished Clean Utility Room and improved security for the entire ED.
==============
The Northern NSW Mental Health Integration Plan was launched last month.
The plan grew out of the Page Health Leadership Forum that I established soon after my election in 2013 to promote greater collaboration between the various local health service providers.
Mental health is a major issue in the Northern Rivers and this plan is all about making the journey to recovery that much easier by putting those with mental health issues in touch with the right service when they need it.
We have some wonderful health workers and great services, however, the system is fragmented and the lack of integration of services can lead to poor outcomes for patients.
The new plan was developed by the North Coast Primary Health Network, Northern NSW Local Health District, Aboriginal Medical Services, Mental Health Forum, Mental Health Interagency Meeting and the Northern NSW GP Clinical Council.
I would like to thank all those involved in developing this roadmap on how existing services can better deliver people help to those in need.
==============
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will start to roll out in the Northern Rivers from 2017/18, following an agreement between the Commonwealth and New South Wales governments.
This is great news for people with disability and their families in our community, and underscores our commitment to deliver the NDIS in full.
==============
I read the article in the last issue of GP Speak about the concerns of our local health professionals about Sydney-based organisation GP Synergy winning the tender to manage GP Registrar Training in the Northern Rivers.
I too have reservations about this. However, I am happy that the state was split into three geographical regions.
That said I will continue to monitor the new training system to ensure it meets all its KPI’s and delivers quality services for the Northern Rivers.
==============
The new Turnbull Government’s focus is on jobs and economic growth.
It is only through growing the economy that we can afford to pay for the quality health services our community needs and expects.
