MP steps up campaign for 24-hour doctor

Posted January 9, 2017

Federal Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie has stepped up her campaign to bring an overnight doctor to the Mt Barker Hospital.

The NXT MP haslaunched an on-line petition to lobby the State Government for a 24-hour doctor service at the regional medical facility.

Ms Sharkie is also calling on residents who have been turned away from the Mt Barker Hospital when they needed emergency assistance to share their story on her website www.rebekhasharkie.com.au.

“Late last year I raised the need for an out of hours GP with Health Minister Jack Snelling and was surprised to learn he was unaware of the urgency of the situation in the one of the fastest growing regional centres in Australia,” Ms Sharkie said.

“Lack of access to a doctor at the Mt Barker hospital after hours, particularly late at night and on weekends, was one of the most important issues flagged by residents I spoke with during the election campaign.

“My community expects that a hospital in a rapidly growing town should have a doctor on site and that view was further reinforced by the feedback we received from the survey my office sent out to every constituent late last year.

“When you’re a mum with a toddler with Croup, the last thing you need is a 45-minute drive down to a city hospital followed by hours of waiting so far away from home.

“I’m now organising a petition and calling on residents to share their stories so I can go back to the State Government with more evidence to back up the discussions I have already had with Minister Snelling and Premier Jay Weatherill.

“Funding health services might be a State responsibility but it is my job as the Federal MP to pursue and find solutions to the concerns facing my constituents.”

The petition can be accessed online at www.rebekhasharkie.com.au/24hrdoctor.