Michelle Daw, Yorke Peninsula Country Times

Yorke Peninsula residents are being urged to contribute to a long-awaited inquiry into health services in the region, launched on November 14.

The inquiry was triggered by a petition signed by nearly 11,000 people which began in October 2022.

It was led by Member for Narungga Fraser Ellis, who lodged it with State Parliament in November 2023.

“This was the largest petition ever undertaken in our electorate’s history, with near 11,000 people signing it, and to have it referred to the Parliament’s Economic and Finance Committee for investigation is also a ground-breaking first”, Mr Ellis said.

“I emphasise that this outcome would not have been possible without the support of a lot of community-minded people across the Narungga electorate who signed and circulated sheets and did so because they care about country health care.

“Thank you all — it was a huge undertaking and it is now our time to have our say and participate in the inquiry by lodging submissions or attending a hearing,” Mr Ellis said.

“Getting the more than 10,000 signatures needed to trigger this inquiry was our first major step, and next came successfully getting it referred to the Economic and Finance Committee for consideration.

“The next big step is ensuring many submissions are received to appropriately demonstrate the need for system change.” State Parliament’s Economic and Finance Committee is calling for formal submissions to the inquiry, which will be open until early February.

Mr Ellis said this would give local people plenty of time to participate, even though the submission would be open over the busy Christmas period and harvest.

“The timing will also capture the attention of our thousands of visitors who holiday in our patch who may also wish to share their experiences of local health service delivery, in support of all who permanently reside and live in our electorate”, Mr Ellis said.

“I encourage all who have had a noteworthy interaction with our local health — good or bad — to make a submission.

“We need to make sure that the decision makers know what is working for us and what needs to change.” 

The terms of reference for the inquiry are: 

• The classification of Wallaroo Hospital 
• The most appropriate Local Health Network coverage of Port Pirie Hospital
• Factors impacting the delivery of health services on YP, especially in relation to access and equity; and
• Any other matter relating to health services on YP.

Mr Ellis said that while not all requests from the petition would be investigated under the formal terms of reference, he was especially pleased the reclassification of the Wallaroo Hospital and the inclusion of Port Pirie Hospital in the Yorke and Northern Local Health Network were under specific review.

“It is not an exaggeration to say that regional health care is the issue I get approached the most about in the street, is the subject of a majority of meetings I have in my office and, personally, the primary reason I was inspired to run for parliament in the first place,” Mr Ellis said.

“Regional hospitals must be relied upon to provide appropriate care, and Wallaroo Hospital especially, being our region’s major facility, desperately needs an upgrade and more beds and staff.

“I am so very pleased this Inquiry has come to fruition and I now implore participation by as many people as possible.”

Any person or organisation wishing to make a submission to the Committee is invited to do so by writing to: The Parliamentary Officer, Economic and Financial Committee, GPO Box 572, Adelaide SA 5001, or via email: EFC.Assembly@parliament.sa.gov.au  

This article appeared in Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 19 November 2024.