Shadow Minister for Health, Georgie Crozier, has visited the electorate of Euroa to discuss pressing issues in regional healthcare with local service providers and hospitals.
The Andrews Government is expected to unveil cuts of more than 10 per cent in this year’s budget to community health, an important source of preventative care.
The Nationals Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, facilitated the visit with serious concerns raised with Ms Crozier by local health services.
“Right across Strathbogie and Mitchell, Nexus Primary Health leads the delivery of community health services,” Ms Cleeland said.
“They do an incredible job with limited resources, delivering a stunningly broad range of services.
“This includes physiotherapy, counselling, addiction support, speech pathology and NDIS services.
“With an already stretched budget, further cuts to Nexus will undoubtedly result in poorer health outcomes for people in our region.”\
The needs of several hospitals from across the region were also on the agenda.
“We saw some concerning data about local hospitals struggling with increased costs and there is serious alarmed about workforce challenges and future funding,” Ms Cleeland said.
“The health system is under strain; the financial illiteracy of the Andrews Government is unrivalled and regional health services are concerned.
“While the Labor Government continually ignores the needs of regional Victorians, I thank Georgie for coming to the region and hearing firsthand what needs to be done to improve outcomes for people in our region.”