All power to the SWS Health Coalition! However, let's take note that we, as community members and consumers of health services, need to support this northern movement for self-determination. Community members are being asked (and expected) to take some control of the planning of health services in their local area: health services that are inclusive of health and welfare organisations, general practitioners, allied health practitioners and public health services.
Rather than wait to have something unhelpful being imposed upon us by the Macarthur-Southern Highlands Divisional consortium in the the roll-out of the Medicare Locals, let us be proactive enough to demand what we know will be of benefit to our local communities rather than passively accepting something being of benefit only to the Macarthur-Southern Highlands Divisions of General Practice.
"Medicare Locals? An open letter to communities, elected officials and families across south west Sydney.
"Medicare Locals are new federally funded organisations that will build stronger links between family doctors, hospitals and other health and community services.
"The South West Sydney Health Coalition has recently been made aware of certain assertions made by the Macarthur and Southern Highlands Divisions of General Practice concerning the formation of a Medicare Local in south west Sydney.
"The purpose of this letter is to inform you that the South West Sydney Health Coalition denies each of these assertions categorically as being completely without basis in fact.
"The Macarthur-Southern Highlands Divisions do not represent the “official bid” for the South West Sydney Medicare Local. The Macarthur-Southern Highlands Divisions do not enjoy any exclusive right to lodge a bid for a Medicare Local covering the Bankstown, Fairfield, Liverpool, Campbelltown, Camden, Wollondilly, and Wingecarribee local government areas.
"We believe these assertions by the Macarthur- Southern Highlands consortium adversely reflect upon the actions and integrity of the South West Sydney Health Coalition, and on the future formation of a Medicare Local that will serve all local families equally across south west Sydney.
"The South West Sydney Health Coalition is made up of over 20 organisations. The South West Sydney Health Coalition represents health, community and aged care organisations from across south west Sydney, and is now the largest and most geographically diverse collaboration lodging a bid for the Medicare Local in south west Sydney. The South West Sydney Health Coalition is lodging a competitive bid for the entire South West Sydney Medicare Local, ranging from The Southern Highlands to Bankstown.
"Whatever the outcome of the competitive Medicare Local application process, the members of the South West Sydney Health Coalition remain committed to working collaboratively and harmoniously with all family doctors, community and health organisations across the region now and into the future.
"Furthermore, we sincerely hope that individuals’ personal views in this manner will not undermine the genuine efforts of the health, community and aged care organisations in the south west Sydney area to establish a Medicare Local that will ensure a healthy future for local families."
MEDIA
Andrey Zheluk 0425 278 398
Website: www.swshc.org.au
Central DoH&A Office postal address
Department of Health & Ageing
(Medicare Locals)
GPO Box 9848,
Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
