Members from regional, rural and remote NSW supported the motion and discussed how a lack of local facilities and services, as well as staffing shortages and bypass protocols, impact their communities. Outside of the cities, people are fed up and simply asking for equitable access to vital healthcare.

I raised the following key points:

People in the rapidly growing area of southern Lake Macquarie cannot easily access many public health services, despite the need for more services being recognised by Hunter New England Local Health District in 2024.

Since that time, we’ve had some great investment in community health services in the Morisset area. These include nurse practitioner-led aged care, wound care and continence clinics running out of the Morisset Multi-Purpose Centre and the Rehab in the Home.

Community health services are only an interim measure. We NEED a permanent public health facility in southern Lake Macquarie.

I continue to advocate for a HEALTHONE at a site which can facilitate expansion into a district hospital.

More health services and facilities close to home will mean people don’t need to travel as far for care and can get help faster, which is particularly important for our older community members. It will also take pressure off our overrun emergency departments and hospitals.

Last night’s debate keeps the conversation around health in southern Lake Macquarie alive. The Government can’t recognise the area’s growth, target the area for more growth, and then fail to provide the infrastructure and services we need.

You can read my full speech and the debate HERE