MEDIA RELEASE - Silence on After Hours Funding
Whilst the major parties are making grand election claims about providing more after hours medical care to the community, the Eastern Ranges After Hours Medical Service is still waiting for a promise for the Yarra Valley.
Eastern Ranges After Hours Medical Service provides two after hours medical services to the Yarra Valley community; in Healesville and Yarra Junction. Last year these two services provided over 9000 vital medical services to the community, outside of business hours.
Dr Barbara Inness, Chair of the Association, said, "Frankly we're surprised that there is so little support for the service from our local politicians.
"The Eastern Ranges After Hours Medical Service has been operating since 2006. In that time we've helped most people in the Yarra valley on one or more occasions. Our presence has undoubtedly saved lives," she said.
Local GPs and nurses who staff the service are tired of working under the constant threat of closure due to uncertain funding.
Chief Executive Officer, Kristin Michaels, said the service was currently funded for 10 months only, with no certainty of a future for the service after that.
"We believe that the service is an effective model for the Yarra Valley community. It provides both a telephone service through a qualified Division 1 nurse, and individual face-to-face consultations with highly skilled and experienced GPs.
"Without the presence of the Eastern Ranges After Hours Medical Service in the Yarra Valley, community members would have to use Maroondah Hospital Emergency Department, or go without medical support altogether after hours.
"The people of the Yarra Valley fought hard to get their after hours medical services and they deserve to keep them. The Association and its GPs are absolutely committed to continuing to provide this service", said Ms Michaels.
During this election campaign, Eastern Ranges GP Association seeks a commitment from local candidates and the major parties to provide ongoing funding to the after medical services to ensure that people in the Yarra Valley can access medical services outside of normal business hours.
Eastern Ranges GP Association represents over 200 general practitioners (GPs) in Melbourne's outer eastern and southern suburbs. It provides over 2000 medical, preventative and health services to the community each month.
CONTACT: Kristin Michaels, CEO, Ph: 9871 1000
ISSUED: 5 August 2010