And so began Albury MP Justin Clancy’s speech to the NSW Parliament on June 27 where he stressed the vital need for strategic direction in health care, particularly when the issues were cross-border in a setting legislated by state governments.
His speech came the day after he presented a petition on behalf of the Corowa, Rutherglen and Wahgunyah communities urging all levels of government to commit to regional health.
Mr Clancy told the Parliament: “We know where we want to go - we want a trusted, sustainable, digitally enabled, patient centred health service; a system where care is equitable, not divided by a river, postcode or state border, and one that delivers care close to home, supports its workforce and is driven by data, not disconnected paper.”
“The $558 million investment in the redevelopment of the Albury campus of Albury Wodonga Health is pivotal,” he said, noting that in the in 2022 announcement, the Victorian Premier had labelled it Stage 1, recognising that regional health care cannot be a one-off investment.
Mr Clancy quoted Albury Wodonga Health chief executive, Michael Kalimnios who said in 2021 that the next 20 years “we need to have the issues solved and be working from a single site”.
“Buildings create the space, but it is the people, systems, technology and funding models that fill that space with life-saving outcomes.” Mr Kalimnios said.
Mr Clancy also reiterated the need for an electronic medical record system for Albury Wodonga Health which he said was not just cost saving, but lifesaving.
“The introduction of an EMR is not a luxury; it is a necessity; it is the backbone of any modern health organisation,” he said.
“I repeat my call for Albury Wodonga Health to have an EMR.”
He said digital innovations like TeleClinicalCare would better support chronic disease management and post discharge care and avoid unnecessary hospital presentations.
“We need a funding model that reflects the complexity of bi-state service delivery and population growth, one that gives line of sight to both state governments and Albury Wodonga Health,” he said.
“I presented a petition on behalf of the Corowa, Rutherglen and Wahgunyah communities.
“I acknowledge their constructive engagement - we need a broader commitment to rural and regional sustainability in health.
“We need collaborative care models, like those led by the Rural Doctors Network.
“Let us replicate, scale and embed those models in our community with the support of both state governments.
“We know the way forward ... let us build on what we have started, not just today but also for generations.”
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