No After Hours GPs For Palmerston

The Federal Government gave $380,000 to an after-hours GP service in Albury NSW last week but it refuses to recognise its responsibility to fund such a clinic in Palmerston Senator Trish Crossin says.

"There are now over 60 after-hours GP services funded by the Federal Government around Australia including one in Stuart Park Darwin” Senator Crossin said.

"It is a point I'll be making to Palmerston residents this week when they receive in the post a petition from me calling on the Federal Government to address the shortage of GP services and bulk billing in Palmerston.

"Prior to the last election Palmerston residents responded overwhelmingly to a petition I launched calling on the Federal Government to provide a Medicare office in Palmerston

"That campaign was successful, now I'm hoping this latest petition will help to shame the Federal Government into action over the GP services in Palmerston.

"The need for more GPs and an after hours clinic in Palmerston is obvious.

"By signing the attached petition Palmerston residents can show their concern about GP services and the need for urgent action to get the Federal Government to fund an after hours service.”

"Due to the shortage of GPs the number of bulk billed visits in Palmerston has fallen by 12 % over the ten long years of the Howard Government.

"I'll keep on campaigning on this issue and predict we might get some commitment from the Federal Government over Palmerston GPs before next year's Federal election” Senator Crossin said.

2006-09-27