Health clinic expansion in Wanaaring now open

The newly upgraded Wanaaring health clinic opened its doors to the public in recent months, with locals of the Wanaaring community getting to meet staff and touring the facility at the official opening on 30 September 2020.

The extension provides a larger consulting room, benefiting the local community and the Royal Flying Doctor Service staff for when they arrive. It also provides room for facilities such as mental health and nursing mothers. The day was also an opportunity to acknowledge the ongoing work of the Royal Flying Doctor Service in playing a central and leading role in the delivery of health care service to the regional and rural communities in NSW.

It gave me great pleasure to attend the inaugural ceremony of the newly upgraded Wanaaring health clinic. Residents of Wanaaring are indeed to be congratulated on the extension of the clinic, namely Betty Taylor and Debbie Myors from the Country Women's Association (CWA) for their hard work and commitment in securing the funds and overseeing the upgrade. The day was also an opportunity to acknowledge the ongoing work of the Royal Flying Doctor Service in playing a central and leading role in the delivery of health care service to the regional and rural communities in NSW.

It is my hope that the clinic’s new extension is a stepping stone towards better health, better care and better lives for our communities. We still however have a lot to do in rural health. We know the health outcomes in rural NSW need to be addressed by the health inquiry before the Legislative Council and ensure the terms of reference are adequately addressed on regional health issues.

Let me also thank the Minister for Health and Medical Research, the Hon Brad Hazzard MP, who graciously funded the venture. As a result, the health clinic’s upgrade will provide vital health services to the community of Wanaaring and its surrounding districts, and increase access to health workers in remote and rural areas through improved staff retention. I hope to take this opportunity to foster close collaboration with the Ministry of Health in order to establish a common goal which is "improved healthcare for all in rural and regional NSW".

Thank you to everyone who contributed towards the realisation of this project and for joining us on the day for this important event.