Patients in the Dubbo region will have access to a 24-hour telestroke service, as part of a $21.7 million groundbreaking program being rolled out across NSW.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Federal Regional Health Minister Mark Coulton were joined by NSW Minister for Mental Health, Regional Health and Women, Bronnie Taylor, and Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders, to make the announcement at Dubbo Base Hospital ahead of today’s joint Federal-State Bilateral Regional Health Forum.
Mr Hazzard said the jointly funded, lifesaving telestroke service exemplifies how the State and Federal Government can work together to bring world-class health care to people in regional and rural areas.
“This statewide telestroke service effectively breaks down geographical barriers, immediately linking local doctors with specialists, so patients can be diagnosed and treated as fast as possible,” Mr Hazzard said.
“Today, with key State and Federal health experts and consumers, we are all focused on how we can create a sustainable health service for rural and regional communities.”
Mr Coulton said expanding telehealth services, such as this, in the regions meant local doctors in Dubbo would be supported by first-class specialists to deliver enhanced stroke care and treatment for local patients.
“Stroke is one of Australia’s biggest killers and is a leading cause of disability – which is why rapid access to specialists is so important in reducing the impact of stroke,” Mr Coulton said.
“In the unfortunate event of a stroke, this service will ensure that people in the Dubbo region have access to specialist stroke consultants, which will be a huge benefit to patients and their families.”
Mr Coulton said today’s Bilateral Regional Health Forum will continue to look at innovative ways in which the NSW Government can partner with the Federal Government to deliver better access and health outcomes for rural residents.
“This year’s Federal Budget has again demonstrated the Liberal and Nationals Government’s strong commitment to rural health with a $1.2 billion injection to improve healthcare in the bush,” Mr Coulton said.
“That package includes funding to implement locally-led primary care models in southern and western NSW – including the four Ts model for the Dubbo region – to help address workforce challenges and improve health service delivery.”
Mrs Taylor said telehealth for mental health consultations had been a lifesaver for people in regional and rural areas during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This year’s Forum will also focus on supporting resilience in regional communities. The community spirit of people in regional communities is well known, but multiple crises in the past year – drought, bushfires and now the pandemic – and causing significant distress for many people, placing their mental health at risk,” Mrs Taylor said.
The NSW Government committed $14.6 million over 2018-19 and 2019-20 for the Emergency Drought Mental Health Package to improve access to and delivery of mental health services to rural and remote NSW.
The Forum will discuss the impact of drought, bushfires and COVID-19 on the mental health of patients, clinicians and residents in the regions; as well as the use of telehealth for sustainable models of healthcare, including allied health and smaller rural hospitals.
Mr Saunders said he was pleased the Forum, established last year, was being held in Dubbo and welcomed the telestroke service announcement.
“This collaboration between the bush and the city and State and Federal governments has the potential to change lives in our community for the better, forever,” Mr Saunders said.
In June, the NSW Government announced the service, which has already helped 200 patients. Telestroke will be rolled out to up to 23 sites over three years and follows a successful pilot between Hunter New England, Central Coast and Mid North Coast local health districts. Telestroke is now available at Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Lismore and Orange with Dubbo due to come on line later this month.
The funding to deliver Telestroke comprises $12.3 million from the NSW Government and $9.4 million from the Commonwealth Government.
In 2018-19, 13,651 people were hospitalised for a stroke in NSW. Of those, 32 per cent were from regional, rural or remote areas.
The NSW Government has committed $10.1 billion in health infrastructure investment across the state in this term of government.
Since 2011, the NSW Government has built or upgraded more than 130 hospitals and health facilities, with over 80 projects currently underway – more than two-thirds of those have been in regional and rural areas.
