The Member for Macarthur, Dr Mike Freelander, recently spoke passionately in Parliament regarding the burgeoning crisis that thousands of Macarthur residents are facing, which is the lack of access to General Practitioner’s (GP’s).
Dr Freelander met with the Hon. Greg Hunt MP, Minister for Health, the Department of Health and NSW Health regarding this important issue yet, the Federal and State Governments are yet to provide assistance and instead are neglecting their very duty to the people of Macarthur.
“The last thing Australians need is an Americanisation of our healthcare system which will only make healthcare more costly and out of reach.” Dr Freelander said.
After having met with families, medical practitioners and clinicians, the Member for Macarthur states that all parties agree that access to GP's must be significantly improved for the health and wellbeing of Macarthur residents.
Specifically, Dr Freelander has met with Dr Ben Touma from the Emerald Hills Medical Centre. In their discussions, Dr Touma informed Dr Freelander that his two medical centres are not able to employ doctors who a very well qualified to work in the area due to the lack of support and assistance provided by the Health Departments.
“This is a tragedy. I've been contacted by other electorates with similar problems. We cannot have a two-tiered health system in Australia.
We are at risk of developing an Americanised health system, where the wealthy can afford very good care but the poor and disadvantaged cannot access care. Something must be done.”
Our nation has a proud history of having a strong and robust healthcare system that cares for all, regardless of income or age, with the likes of Medicare and the NDIS being significant Labor Government achievements.
Sadly, the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison Governments over the past eight years, as well as the O’Farrell-Baird-Berejiklian NSW Governments over the past decade, have only sought to weaken and cripple affordable healthcare coverage.
Dr Freelander will continue to meet with the respective Health Departments and Ministers to push for much needed improvements to GP access in Macarthur.
