THE NSW Treasurer wants to work "constructively" with the Victorian government to maintain cross border health ties after being given "frank" feedback by Albury hospital representatives.
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Dominic Perrottet met with Albury Wodonga Health chief executive Michael Kalimnios and other senior personnel, including clinicians, on Thursday.
Asked if he was concerned about the Victorian government not committing to ongoing funding, the Liberal Treasurer was conciliatory.
"It's very easy to play a tit for tat game with other states and territories and particularly Labor governments, from our perspective, but that's not what this is about, it's about putting politics to one side," Mr Perrottet said.
"That's not why people elect you, they elect you because our job and responsibility is to deliver the best services and possible and I think it would be best if we worked together constructively."
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Mr Perrottet noted financial details and feasibility aspects remained outstanding between the states but added when that occurred "the government will be in the position to do something that will make a real difference to health care in this region".
That hinted at the NSW government's $75 million to jointly fund improvements to the intensive care unit and surgery and possible capital works.
Bed shortages, capacity concerns and a lack of investment when compared with other regional hospitals were issues raised by AWH staff with Mr Perrottet.
"It had an impact on me, walking through the hospital and seeing firsthand the challenges that are there and I'm committing to you that it is the role of our government to make sure the people of Albury have the best access to healthcare possible and that's what we're going to do," Mr Perrottet said.
"I am committing that I'll work with both the Health Minister and I'll work with my Victorian Treasurer counterpart to get a strong outcome here and work with the health team.
"They were frank in their feedback and that's exactly what you would expect and we will come back once this work has been completed."
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