Rural patients will benefit from new infrastructure grants to 50 projects across Australia, Health Minister Tanya Plibersek announced today.
Under Round 6 of the National Rural and Remote Health Infrastructure Program, $8.7 million is being directed to the projects.
“While rates of some chronic disease are high for patients living in rural and remote areas, they often find it harder to access the level of health care they require,” said Ms Plibersek.
“That is why the Gillard Government is committed to setting up new rural health services or the improvement of existing facilities.”
According to the National Strategic Framework for Rural and Remote Health, rural areas have higher rates of high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity as well as poor dental, antenatal and post-natal health.
Ms Plibersek said by providing essential health infrastructure, either as capital works or as equipment, the program made it easier for patients to get care when and where they needed it.
Examples of some of the grants are:
- $500,000 for Tilligerry Medical Practice, Tanilba Bay, NSW, for relocation.
- $328,198 for Optometry at Cooroy, Cooroy, QLD, for optometry equipment.
- $453,550 for Njernda Aboriginal Corporation, Echuca, VIC, to renovate clinic.
- $274,276 for Robe Dental, Robe, SA, to refurbish practice.
- $395,000 for Hermitage Dental Kempsey, NSW, to expand services.
- $250,000 for Physikal Health Services, QLD, for mobile physiotherapy capacity.
The National Rural and Remote Health Infrastructure Program also funds strategic service planning for small rural private hospitals.
Funding is recommended by the independent National Assessment Panel.
For more information please contact the minister’s office on 02 6277 7220
