The day after Federal Parliament passed the backpacker tax package and rose for the summer vacation, the Member for Page, Kevin Hogan, flew back to the electorate to resume business on the ground.
His first port of call was the Lismore campus of the University Centre for Rural Health (UCRH), where, in the company of the Assistant Minister for Rural Health, Dr David Gillespie, he met trainee doctors and other health discipline students engaged in local clinical placements.
Dr Gillespie, a Gastroenterologist and consultant physician, was Director of Physician Training at Port Macquarie Base Hospital from 1997-2010. He won the seat of Lyne, centred on Port Macquarie, for the Nationals in the 2013 election and retained it this year.
Like his colleague, Health Minister Sussan Ley, who also holds a rural seat, he is an enthusiast for improving the depth and breadth of health services in regional areas, a challenge that includes attracting undergraduates, and in due course, qualified clinicians who can do further training with a rural focus.
After meeting with UCRH Director, Professor Ross Bailie, the Minister said the government’s investment in The University of Sydney’s Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training program included $51.7 million over three years across various rural locations, including the UCRH.
“This significant investment in the UCRH and facilities here in Lismore is testament to the fantastic work being delivered in the region,” the Minister said.
“I would also like to congratulate the local Member Kevin Hogan. He has been an enthusiastic and ever-present advocate for the UCRH.
“I’m particularly pleased to see that Lismore UCRH is developing an Aboriginal high schools program that will focus on bringing Aboriginal school children with an interest in a health career on board to expand their opportunities in health care and provide mentors.”
The MPs listened to the experiences of seven students - four came from rural areas, three of them from the Northern Rivers - while a Canadian born student said internationals like practical placements in regional areas and hoped more opportunities might be arranged.
Last year, 33 students undertook long-term medical placements in Lismore, with UCRH coordinating clinical placements of two weeks or more for a further 197 allied health (91 per cent of the total) and nursing students.
While in Lismore, Dr Gillespie also met with the Director of the North Coast Primary Health Network, Dr Vahid Saberi.
