Source: Office of the Federal Shadow Minister for Health, Nicola Roxon

Nicola Roxon MP
Shadow Minister for Health
MEDIA RELEASE

Labor's Health and Hospitals Advisory Group

Shadow Health Minister, Nicola Roxon, today outlined the composition of Labor's Health and Hospitals Advisory Group, recently announced by Labor leader Kevin Rudd.

"Federal Labor has established the Advisory Group to investigate and identify the urgent needs of hospitals and other health services in the community which will improve the operation of our health system and promote preventative health care," said Ms Roxon.

"The Advisory Group will help to identify appropriate projects for the allocation of funds under Federal Labor's $2 billion National Health Reform Plan, focusing on the need to:

 * Reduce avoidable hospitalisations and readmissions to hospital;

 * Reduce non-urgent accident and emergency presentations;

 * Reduce waiting times for those people who require essential
 hospital services such as elective surgery; and

 * Provide more appropriate non-acute care for older Australians.

"As Chair of the Group I have already been meeting with stakeholders and community groups in Queensland and NSW, and I look forward to continuing those consultations as I move around the country in coming weeks.

"Today I am pleased to announce that my Shadow Ministerial colleagues Simon Crean (Regional Services, VIC) and Senators Kate Lundy (Health promotion, Local Government, ACT) and Jan McLucas (Ageing, QLD) will also be undertaking community and stakeholder consultations as members of the Advisory Group.

"Interested parties are invited to submit brief written suggestions to members of HHAG for Labor's consideration, either to their state contact or to my office on 03 9687 7355 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

"Federal Labor knows that Australia needs a systematic approach to fixing the health system; not just random policies for one hospital, in one seat, in one state. We are committed to taking responsibility for our health system, and to providing local solutions within a consistent national strategy."

Tuesday 4 September 2007
For more information call electorate office 03 9687 7355