RACGP welcomes new Federal Minister for Rural Health

Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie was this week named Federal Minister for Sport, Rural Health and Regional Communications as part Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s cabinet reshuffle.
 
‘I would like to congratulate Senator McKenzie on her appointment as the Federal Minister for Rural Health,’ Dr Ayman Shenouda, Chair of RACGP Rural, told newsGP.
 
‘I hope Senator McKenzie will be eager to meet with our members and work with the RACGP to establish solutions for some of the key health challenges facing rural and remote Australian communities.’
 
Dr Shenouda pointed to the fact that the more than 30% of Australians who live and work in rural areas receive less than 30% of health funding as evidence this area of healthcare needs a strong voice in Federal Parliament.
 
‘Rural health deserves more Government focus,’ he said. ‘Representation at cabinet level by Senator McKenzie is vital for Australian GPs and their patients working and living in rural communities.
 
‘I am optimistic Senator McKenzie, along with the new National Rural Health Commissioner Professor Paul Worley, will see significant improvement in the quality of medical care being delivered in Australia’s rural and regional communities.’

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