MEMBER for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead has welcomed the announcement that a new Regional Health Division for NSW Health will be established, saying it is a win for the people of the Myall Lakes.

Mr Bromhead said the new division will ensure there is a renewed focus on the health services and outcomes for people living in regional and rural NSW, importantly in the Myall Lakes.

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“Everyday thousands of people receive quality care in our regional health centres, but the NSW Government knows that more needs to be done to address the issues facing our regional areas,” Mr Bromhead said.

“The establishment of the Regional Health Division is a key step towards ensuring the public health system has the needs and expectations of the communities of regional NSW at its heart.

“This announcement is a big win for the people of the Myall Lakes, ensuring the health needs of our region are met.”

The new division will support Regional Health Minister Bronnie Taylor to support and coordinate the development and implementation of a new Regional Health Plan, providing a single point of contact and advocacy for issues that are common across the Regional Health environment.

Minister Taylor said that many of these issues are long-term, including workforce attraction and contention, cross-border issues and communication/ engagement with communities, clinicians and stakeholders.

The division will sit at the top level within the Ministry of Health and ensure that health, social and economic data, business intelligence tools and stakeholder feedback are all integrated within the division.

Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said the division will sit at the top level within the Ministry of Health and ensure strong advocacy of regional health issues.

“The Regional Health Division will support the NSW Government’s commitment to bring a renewed focus on recruitment to key healthcare roles in regional NSW and to find innovative ways to support nurses, doctors, allied health practitioners, and the vital support service providers who work in healthcare facilities, to live and work in our regional communities,” Mrs Taylor said.

“The Division will be led by a Coordinator-General for Regional Health, which will report directly to the Secretary of NSW Health, Susan Pearce, and support and provide advice to the Minister for Regional Health about issues concerning health in regional communities.”

In addition, each regional Local Health District (LHD) in NSW is establishing defined roles who will report directly and be a key interface with the new division to help deliver on its objectives.

The division will have staff based in regional NSW.

Under the new Regional Health Division, Local health districts (LHDs) will continue to deliver health services to their local communities.

The NSW Government is currently seeking applications for people interested in becoming a member of a Regional Health Ministerial Advisory Panel, which will advise the Minister for Regional Health, the Minister for Health and the Secretary, Ministry of Health on opportunities and solutions to improve healthcare and hospital and health support services in regional NSW.

For more information, head to: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/ministers/Pages/regional-health-ministerial-advisory-panel.aspx.

By Tara CAMPBELL