GRANT District Council has called on both state and federal governments to quit the “blame game” when it comes to responsibility for health services in a review of the State Public Health Plan.
The plan provides guidance on issues to be addressed in local public health planning and a common framework for local government.
The current plan, which was implemented in 2013, expires in November this year.
In a written submission to the State Government, acting chief executive Jane Fetherstonhaugh provided extensive feedback on the current plan on behalf of the council.
“While it is acknowledged both spheres of government have various levels of responsibility for services and funding, the community tires of the blame game that ensues when there is financial or resource pressures on the health care system,” she said.
“The community does not really care for excuses or shifting of blame, they ultimately just want to see the required services delivered.”
The report outlined a number of priorities to be considered for the new plan, including further integration of cross-border health services, access to quality, integrated health care in rural and regional communities and improvements to the Patient Assistance Transport Scheme to “reduce the inequality regional and remote South Australians face in accessing medical care”.
The submission also highlighted the need for additional funding for local governments to provide and enhance infrastructure to respond to the changing climate, including “places of refuge for extreme heat, fire and flood, as well as infrastructure for mitigation of sea level increases”.
