MOUNT Gambier Liberal candidate Craig Marsh has blamed a disconnect between the State Government and regional South Australia for the “deterioration” of health services and facilities in the city.
He said an “alarming number” of residents had expressed concern over the loss of local medical specialists and high turnover of health staff at the Mount Gambier Hospital and declared he would continue to advocate for better health services across the region.
“It’s my understanding that a large number of specialists, including ophthalmologists, gynaecologists, anaesthesiologist and emergency physicians have left the South East region in the last five years,” Mr Marsh said.
“Clearly there is an issue with retaining medical professionals in Mount Gambier and something needs to be done or the quality of health services in the city will decline and that is unacceptable.
“One of the issues here is the lack of continuity of treatment and concerns have been raised with me about the higher costs of administration when sourcing locums to fill short-term vacancies at exorbitant rates.”
Mr Marsh said as the second largest city in the state, Mount Gambier deserved “quality health services” to complement staff working under “avoidable pressure”.
“We need to attract medical professionals to the South East with a long-term commitment to the region and encourage them to stay,” he said.
“I think Country Health SA is not well connected to regional South Australia and that the regional health boards promised by the Liberal Party will ensure health services are more responsive to the concerns of health professionals and the needs of the Mount Gambier community.”
Both Country Health SA and Health Minister Peter Malinauskas were contacted for comment but did not respond by press time.
“I am committed to standing up for our local community by fighting for much-needed health services in the region,” Mr Marsh said.
“I’ve been in discussions with Shadow Health Minster Stephen Wade about these issues and we will be looking to host another health forum in the near future.”
