THE HON WARREN SNOWDON MP
Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health
and Regional Services Delivery
18 September 2009
RIVERINA HOSTS NATIONAL HEALTH DEBATE
The Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health, and Regional Services
Delivery, Warren Snowdon today visited the Wagga Wagga Base Hospital as part of
consultation with health professionals and stakeholders on recommendations of the National
Health and Hospital Reform Commission.
The Wagga Wagga Base Hospital has received $792, 951 to purchase new medical
equipment under Stage Two of the Federal Government’s Elective Surgery Waiting List
Reduction Plan.
Stage One of the Plan delivered $43.3 million and an additional 12,000 elective surgery
procedures to the people of NSW last year. Stage Two sees the allocation of $50.6 million to
NSW for capital infrastructure or to buy new medical equipment.
The third and final stage of the Elective Surgery Waiting List Reduction Plan begins later this
year and will provide up to $300 million to the States and Territories.
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 Wagga Wagga consultation, held at Charles Sturt University, is the 25th across the
country to road-test the National Health and Hospital Reform Commission’s
recommendations.
It follows other rural focussed consultations including one in Derby, WA, and with the
National Rural Health Alliance.
The National Health and Hospital Reform Commission made recommendations for system-
wide changes to Australian health care.
Today at Charles Sturt University, 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 Riverina 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 
