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Health | May 12, 2016

Kealy - More Wimmera health and drug funding needed

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy MP is raising the need for further health infrastructure and drug rehabilitation funding in the Wimmera.

“Last month it was announced that a Grampians drug treatment centre would be built in Ballarat. Ballarat is not the Grampians and country people deserve support services in their local area,” Ms Kealy said.

“Local people will still have to leave their families and workplaces to access rehabilitation services and other drug and alcohol treatments.

“This week the Minister for Health, Hon. Jill Hennessy will be visiting the Wimmera Base Hospital and I call for more hospital infrastructure in regional Victoria and for a drug rehabilitation centre in the Wimmera, not Ballarat.

“We all deserve quality health services, whether we live in the city or the country, and it is important country communities are provided with first-class facilities.

“We have fantastic local clinical staff who also deserve to be provided with quality facilities to support them in delivering the best possible standard of care to our people,” she said.

Emma Kealy last month praised the significant efforts by countless local organisations, businesses and individuals who tirelessly campaigned to ensure $1 million State funding for the $3.5 million Wimmera Cancer Centre project.

“While it was disappointing the Andrews Labor Government dithered for over a year to deliver this vital funding, we can now work towards making the Wimmera Cancer Centre a reality,” Ms Kealy said.

“The Federal Nationals-Liberal Coalition recognised the urgent need for a Cancer Centre in the Wimmera by committing $1 million in March last year.

This week the Rachael’s Wish - Wimmera Cancer Project Fundraising Appeal has reached almost $750,000 towards the communities’ contribution goal of $1 million.

“It is truly a credit to our local communities, who have demonstrated through their actions and generosity their strong support for this vital local project.

“Well done to everyone involved in supporting the Wimmera Cancer Centre. Our united local voice has made a real and meaningful difference to our great part of the State,” she said.