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Consultation on Country Health

17 November 2008

The first of a series of public meetings on the Country Health Strategy will be held today, starting in Cleve, on the Eyre Peninsula.

Meetings will be held in a total of 12 locations ranging from the Victorian border to the West coast, including the Yorke and Fleurieu Peninsulas, the Riverland, the South-East and the Far North. 

The Chair of the Independent Task Force, Peter Blacker, will be at the meetings to present his findings so far and hear the contributions of local people.

Speaking at the start of the consultation process, Peter Blacker says: "The Taskforce was very conscious of the fact that the diversity of local needs across country hospitals and health services must be considered in health reform planning.

"The Taskforce carefully considered requests by some local communities to discuss their local health plans. 

'It was considered wise to wait until the new draft Strategy had been released and considered by the local Health Advisory Councils and local communities because it's expected that the concerns raised by local communities will be addressed.'

There are several ways to get involved in this important consultation: people who would like to make a contribution, but are unable to attend the meetings, are invited to make their submission either on-line via the Country Health SA website www.countryhealthsa.sa.gov.au or in writing to their local Health Advisory Council or the Country Health SA Board Health Advisory Council.

Local Health Advisory Councils are also organising local events - and the feedback from these will be a key part of the development of local planning next year, as will the thousands of submissions that were received on the previous Country Health Plan.

This stage of the public consultation ends on December 5th, after a total of 12 full weeks of consultation this year on the strategy.

From next year, local detailed planning for the future of each site will begin, based on the key directions in the strategy

The draft Plan and details of public meetings can be seen at www.health.sa.gov.au or  www.countryhealthsa.sa.gov.au

Local Health Advisory Councils can also provide copies.