Page 518 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 16 February 2005

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Question put:

That the motion, as amended, be agreed to.

Question so resolved in the affirmative.

Motion, as amended, agreed to.

Health—Charnwood

MS PORTER (Ginninderra) (5.03): I move:

That this Assembly notes and congratulates the work of the Charnwood Community Health Committee in their endeavours to establish a community health centre for Charnwood and surrounding suburbs with bulk-billing doctors and allied health services.

MS PORTER: Mr Speaker, for over two years now residents of Charnwood, Dunlop, Flynn, Fraser and Macgregor have been without appropriate medical services. This situation arose as a consequence of the retirement of two doctors who long practised in Charnwood and Macgregor, and another doctor who was practising in Charnwood returning to South Australia for family reasons. These events occurred within a relatively short space of time. Local business people have placed advertisements in various medical journals seeking to attract general practitioners to the area. However, despite the offer of assistance with establishment costs and the availability of cash incentives from the federal government, none of those who have expressed an interest have as yet been prepared to give a commitment to establish a practice in this area. As a consequence of these events, the pharmacy in Charnwood has, to a large degree, become the de facto medical centre for many residents and the proprietor of the pharmacy, Brian Frith, and his dedicated staff are to be commended for the work they are doing to assist this community with its wide-ranging health needs. But, of course, this is not enough.

In September I attended a public meeting in Charnwood called by concerned citizens of the affected area seeking to gauge the level of interest in forming a committee to work towards the re-establishment of appropriate medical services. Significant interest was indicated. That evening, a committee was formed and I became a member. Subsequent to my election to the Assembly, I have relinquished my position on the committee and, along with other Ginninderra MLAs and also the federal member for Fraser and both ACT senators, I have now become a patron. I have, however, continued my close interest

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