ROBUST debate over health services has been a feature of the Border's election season which began with the Victorian poll in November and ended with the federal vote last month.
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More than 40 medicos signed a letter in the lead-up to the Victorian election, stating health services in Albury-Wodonga had long been ignored and under-resourced.
Mental health was in the spotlight prior to the NSW poll with concerns about a lack of funding for a new Nolan House to cater to those needing in-patient care.
Then Albury mayor Kevin Mack cited a funding shortfall for the Twin Cities' cancer centre as an example of government neglect as he campaigned as Independent for Farrer in the federal ballot.
Against that background of political argy-bargy, a meeting was held in Wodonga on Friday to focus on the future of medical services on the Border.
Federal politicians Sussan Ley and Helen Haines, state MPs Justin Clancy and Bill Tilley, Cr Mack and his Wodonga counterpart Anna Speedie joined health figures.
The latter included oncologist Craig Underhill, who was a driver of the complaint letter, and former Albury mayor Stuart Baker, an advocate with Australians for Mental Health.
There was an air of unity about the gathering with a realisation that a combined focus is needed to argue the case for more resources with state governments.
To that end, there was agreement that the Victorian government should be lobbied strongly to stump up $75 million for a new maternity hub at Albury hospital following a NSW pledge on emergency department funding.
The federal government was also a target for funding with its Albury-Wodonga regional deal seen as a potential treasure box for assisting with long-term plans for a new hospital.
We have seen before with the community campaign to fund a cancer centre that the Twin Cities can unite successfully to lobby to achieve better medical care.
We hope Friday's meeting is the start of an equally as successful process that bolsters the health of all in Albury-Wodonga.