MURRUMBIDGEE Medicare Local (MML) chief executive Nancye Piercy believes the federal government should be looking to expand the primary healthcare sector, rather than cut it as they are believed to be preparing for in the federal budget.
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Federal Health Minister Peter Dutton yesterday flagged an impending announcement on the future of Medicare Locals, in the strongest hint yet they may be the victim of funding cuts.Budget cuts would force MML to consider efficiencies, at a time when Mrs Piercy believes the organisation should be looking to expand its services.
"It means we would have to really be efficient and find as many efficiencies as we can if we get funding cuts," she said.
"We could do more - we're not even touching suicide prevention and that's something I believe we should be doing."
Other potential changes could include a boundary change for MML to see it align with the Murrumbidgee Local Health District - meaning it would add areas south of the region it looks after.
Member for Riverina Michael McCormack yesterday praised MML for their work in the region, but couldn't guarantee their funding wouldn't be affected in the budget.
"While MML does a fantastic job and Nancye Piercy and her dedicated team do a fantastic job, we've been saddled with a very difficult financial situation," he said.
"We're near the cliff's edge."
Country Labor Wagga branch president Daniel McCluskie has implored Mr McCormack to do all he can to preserve MML's funding.
Mr McCluskie said the organisation's chronic disease programs in particular provided a vital service for the region.
"To do away with Medicare Locals or revert to a sole GP-led model would be to take a step backwards and we want Michael McCormack to stick up for the population of the Riverina," he said.
