The New South Wales Government has established the new Ministerial Advisory Committee for Rural Health, which will be charged will advising State Health Minister, Jillian Skinner, on ways to improve the delivery of health care and general health of rural communities across the State.

 

Ms Skinner said the Ministerial Advisory Committee for Rural Health will be made up of rural clinicians, community members and members of Local Health Districts

 

“The NSW Government understands that issues faced by rural communities in NSW are different to those in metropolitan areas. It is for this reason I have established this committee, to ensure the voice of rural NSW is heard and their health care needs are met well into the future,” Ms Skinner said.

 

“The one size fits all approach isn’t always appropriate when delivering health services to rural communities. It’s vital that locals - whether clinicians or community members - are involved when determining local solutions to local problems.”

 

To support the Ministerial Advisory Committee, a Rural Health Unit will now be established within the NSW Ministry of Health to ensure recommendations of the committee encourage the development of rural health policies, and are monitored and evaluated.