THE HON WARREN SNOWDON MP
Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health
and Regional Services Delivery
CHRIS TREVOR MP
Member for Flynn
23 September 2009
HEALTH REFORM CONSULTATION FOR GLADSTONE
The Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health, and Regional Services
Delivery, Warren Snowdon and Federal Member for Flynn, Chris Trevor, today visited the
Gladstone Hospital as part of consultation with health professionals and stakeholders on
recommendations of the National Health and Hospital Reform Commission.
The Gladstone Hospital is now home to a McGrath Breast Care nurse, Donna Nicholls, who
provides vital information, care and practical and emotional support to local women
diagnosed with breast cancer, their families and carers.
The Rudd Government has given $12 million over four years to the McGrath Foundation to
recruit, train and place the McGrath Breast Care nurses in 44 locations across Australia,
almost of all of which are in rural Australia.
Invitation to Apply has also now closed for the Gladstone GP Super Clinic, with the
assessment process currently underway. The $5 million clinic is one of 35 to be established
across the country under a $275 million Rudd Government program.
The Rudd Government is taking concrete steps to improve Australia’s health and hospital
system after 12 years of neglect.
The Gladstone consultation is one of many underway across the country, including Wagga
Wagga last week and Bunbury next week, and is road-testing the National Health and
Hospital Reform Commission’s recommendations for system-wide changes to Australian
health care.
Today in Gladstone Minister Snowdon outlined the Commission’s proposed reforms and
listened to local health professionals’ and stakeholders input on where action is needed from
the Rudd Government to improve Australia’s Indigenous health services and remote and
regional health care – both in Central Queensland and nation-wide.
All Australians are able to contribute to the national debate on our health system via
Media contact: Kate Sieper 0488 484 689.
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