THE federal government is unlikely to change healthcare boundaries which divide Albury and Wodonga along state lines despite opposition to the plan.
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The government released a plan on Wednesday outlining new primary healthcare regions.
Albury and Wodonga are divided into separate districts, raising concerns for the delivery of primary healthcare services like physiotherapy, occupational therapy and mental health on the Border.
Member for Indi Cathy McGowan asked Health Minister Peter Dutton during question time in Parliament yesterday if he had considered realigning local boundaries to retain cross-border agreements.
Mr Dutton did not say if that had been considered, but said it was possible the same provider could operate each network.
Hume Medicare Local chief executive David Dart said he hoped the minister would reconsider the boundaries.
“My board meets next week and we’ll probably formulate a plan from there,” he said.
“The information is relatively new but we’ve advised the other interested parties around the region and we’re getting some feedback from them.
“We’re hoping there may be opportunities for us to put forward a case to have it reconsidered and maybe have Albury in the Victorian primary health network.
“That would be consistent with the current services delivered by Albury Wodonga Health.”
Mr Dart said having Albury in the NSW network was “illogical” and would be a barrier to providing services.
Ms McGowan said the change would be disastrous and urged people to make their feelings known to their federal representatives.
“Our community works cross-border and we’re calling on the government to recognise how we work together,” she said.