Adam Marshall - Rural health petition set for debate

Rural health services petition passes 15,000 signatures
State Parliament debate set down for 17 November
 

I would like to publicly thank the more than 15,000 people from across the region who have so far put pen to paper in support of better local health services by signing the rural health services petition. The 15,000-mark was reached last week when I was in Inverell collecting hundreds more signatures from local businesses who are right behind the push to split the Hunter New England Health District, directly employ doctors in rural hospitals and dramatically increase nursing numbers.
The petition, which I have now tabled in Parliament, will be debated on the floor of the Legislative Assembly on Thursday, 17 November 2002 at 4pm. The response from the community has been overwhelming and demonstrates just how important the issue of quality health services is for people of all ages across our region. I’m delighted the timing of the public debate on the floor of Parliament has been confirmed and I cannot wait for our chance to bring the ‘people power’ from our region to Macquarie Street. Our collective voice will be heard, and it sends the strongest possible message to the government; changes must be made and they must be made now.
I wish to thank every single one of the more than 15,000 people who have put pen to paper on this petition so far – you are helping to create the change we need. Every signature is still hugely important though and I’m urging people who haven’t shown their support already, to make sure they sign it over the coming fortnight – your signature still counts and will add much weight to the push for reform and change in the way health services are delivered in our region. The groundswell of dissent clearly demonstrates to the government that this is a burning issue for many in our region and that we won’t rest until we are heard, and changes made. The debate on the petition will be livestreamed for members of the public to view and I will provide details closer to the day.