THE HON WARREN SNOWDON MP
Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health
and Regional Services Delivery
28 September 2009
BUNBURY HOSTS NATIONAL HEALTH DEBATE
The Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health, and Regional Services Delivery, Warren
Snowdon, today visited the Bunbury Hospital South West Health Campus as part of a consultation with
health professionals and stakeholders on recommendations of the National Health and Hospital Reform
Commission report.
The South West Health Campus will be home to a $15 million radiation oncology facility, with $6 million
contributed by the Federal Government. Managed by WA Health, the capital works are expected to be
complete by April 2011.
In addition, McGrath Breast Care nurse, Donna Cook, has begun work at the hospital providing vital
information, care and practical and emotional support to local women diagnosed with breast cancer.
Donna is one of 44 nurses funded through the Rudd Government’s $12 million initiative with the McGrath
Foundation to recruit, train and place breast care nurses in communities across Australia.
The Rudd Government is taking concrete steps to improve Australia’s health and hospital system after 12
years of neglect by the Liberal Government.
The Bunbury consultation, held at Edith Cowan University Complex, is part of a road-test of the National
Health and Hospital Reform Commission’s recommendations for system-wide changes to Australian health
care. It is the 38
th
consultation and follows other rural focussed forums including one in Derby, WA.
The importance of the Edith Cowan University Complex in Bunbury can be seen in the Federal
Government investment of $1.1 million to develop a four-seat clinical and dental teaching centre at ECU,
and to purchase student accommodation to enable University of Western Australia dentistry students to stay
and train in Bunbury. This facility is expected to be operational by the start of 2010.
UWA has also received $1 million for the construction and fit out of the collaborative Rural Clinical School
and Edith Cowan University Professional Centre in the town. At present, 10 students are undertaking their
training in Bunbury.
Today Minister Snowdon outlined the Commissions proposed reforms and listened to the local health
professionals’ input on where the Rudd Government should act to improve Australia’s Indigenous health
services and rural and remote health care – both in the Bunbury region and Australia-wide.
All Australians are able to contribute to the national debate on our health system via
Media contact: Kate Sieper 0488 484 689
NEWS 
