Federal Nationals Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton, has showcased some of the region’s amazing healthcare facilities to Regional Health Minister, Dr David Gillespie.
First stop was a tour of the newly-opened Western Cancer Centre.
Mr Coulton said the visit was particularly special for him, as it was the first time he’d been able to see the $35 million facility since it opened.
“After years of campaigning for the centre, it was so exciting to see it in action, and wonderful to meet Wellington’s Tracey Brown – the first patient to receive radiation therapy at the new centre,” Mr Coulton said.
“It’s so heartening to hear how the centre is already benefitting people like Tracey, who was able to drive to Dubbo each day to receive treatment for prostate cancer, instead of having to spend four weeks in Sydney.”
Dr Gillespie and Mr Coulton also inspected the new buildings at the University of Sydney School of Rural Health Dubbo campus, before the first intake of students begin the new Doctorate of Medicine degree next year.
The NSW Nationals in the federal government provided more than $9 million for capital works to establish the graduate-entry medical program through the Murray-Darling Medical Schools Network and are contributing more than $57.5 million to the University of Sydney to enable regional training as part of the Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training program.
Dr Gillespie and Mr Coulton also visited the Royal Flying Doctor Service base in Dubbo to thank the team for all they’ve done during the COVID-19 pandemic, and stopped by the Macquarie Home Stay which provides a home away from home for families needing to stay in Dubbo for medical treatment.
It was great to show the Minister this wonderful accommodation facility, as I’m working to secure funding to help expand the service to accommodate even more families,” Mr Coulton said.
