GRANT District elected member and health academic Julie Reis has accused the Mount Gambier Health Advisory Council (HAC) of losing its strategic focus.
Speaking at this week’s council meeting, Cr Reis – who is a former presiding member of the HAC – said it appeared the body was now just a fundraising committee.
“I would actually like to see the agenda about what is actually being discussed on the HAC because my insight is there is a lot of discussion about fundraising and not a lot about health,” Cr Reis said.
“It is supposed to be a health advisory council. I’m not sure there is a lot of advising to the minister about the health needs and priorities of our district and the region.”
Moreover, she said she had not seen any “strategising” on the health of the community, which was much broader than a hospital.
“I teach health, I am a program director of the Bachelor of Community Health – there is not a lot of communication about health,” Cr Reis said.
She said there appeared to be communication regarding some illnesses and pieces of equipment by the HAC.
“I am a little bit scathing of the Health Advisory Council, quite frankly and I think there are a lot of political agendas on the committee, which I do not think is appropriate,” Cr Reis said.
She told the chamber Ms Klintberg’s appointment on the HAC came after she left the council.
Regarding Ms Klintberg’s letter, she suggested these concerns should had been raised with the mayor.
“I can see some issues there and I can actually see why you (Mr Sage) are upset about this and perhaps you may want an apology,” Cr Reis said.
Cr Reis said she also understood there had been a “significant drop out” of numbers on the HAC.
She said she wondered why this was occurring.
