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A recent patient survey into the use of telehealth has generated outstanding feedback for the high-definition videoconferencing service.
 
Patients said Telehealth, which is used to link people in rural areas to a range of clinicians in the state’s major hospitals and health services, saves time and money and is far more convenient than city visits.
 
Member for Warren-Blackwood, Terry Redman said that more than 15,000 country patients have used the telehealth service for outpatient appointments in the past year and the service was continuing to grow as people hear how convenient it is.
 
“It makes a big difference when regional patients can see their specialist via videoconference from their local hospital, and not have to make arrangements to leave family and work, travel for hours, and find accommodation,” Mr Redman said.
 
“The overwhelming feedback was that patients who attended an appointment via telehealth were very happy with the ease and quality of the service.
 
“It is clear that telehealth staff at the regional health services are seen by regional patients as professional and supportive, and that using the telehealth service is far better than having to travel to the city or regional centre.”
 
Almost all patients said the service was as effective as a “face to face” appointment and that speaking to their specialist from a regional site saved them time and money.
 
“The expansion of Telehealth is just one example of the State Government’s significant investment in regional health care through the Royalties for Regions program,” Mr Redman said.
 
“The response that 99 per cent of those surveyed would recommend the telehealth service is a pretty clear indication of the success of this investment.”
 
In the 2015-16 financial year, there were almost 33,500 occasions of clinical services delivered by telehealth. This comprises more than 16,500 emergency treatments, more than 5,000 mental health appointments and almost 12,000 outpatient treatments.

Warren-Blackwood communities will share in the benefits of two new programs to bring dynamic shows and performing artists to regional centres.
 
Member for Warren-Blackwood, Terry Redman said the investment of $1.3 million in the New Work in the House and Artists in the House initiatives would see performances created that were relevant to local audiences, along with exciting artist-in-residence programs.
 
“I encourage Warren-Blackwood performing artists to pitch their ideas and apply for funding,” Mr Redman said.  “This is about supporting and creating regional jobs in the arts sector, while entertaining and inspiring local residents.”
 
The funding has come from Royalties for Regions, through the four-year, $24 million Creative Regions program and is another example of the Liberal National Government’s commitment to ensuring country communities have access to as many cultural opportunities as possible.
 
“The $1 million New Work in the House program will challenge Western Australian performers and performing arts companies to create work that will engage both regional and metropolitan audiences,” Mr Redman said.
 
“But the bottom line is that the performances will have to be produced and premiered in country WA, which will help drive job creation and community engagement.”
 
The $315,000 Artists in the House program will help fund artist-in-residence programs designed to activate regional venues.
 
“I have no doubt Warren-Blackwood families and schools will benefit because both programs will support strong interaction between performers and local residents,” said Mr Redman.
 
“The two new programs will complement other Creative Regions initiatives, which support touring shows and improving local venues.”
 
Applications for stage one of New Work in the House are now open and close on 15 December 2016. The second stage opens February 2017 and closes at the end of March 2017. Applications for Artists in the House open in February 2017 and close at the end of March 2017
 
For more information on the new grants programs, visit:
http://www.dca.wa.gov.au/online-grants/online-grants-programs/

NATIONALS Member for the South West, Colin Holt MLC, has slammed comments made
at the Wesfarmers AGM in Perth yesterday.

Mr Holt said that comments by Wesfarmers Chairman Mr Chaney disparaging the Nationals WA plan to modernise iron ore State agreements and CEO Richard Goyder’s refusal to acknowledge that $1-a-litre milk is hurting the dairy industry shows the company is more focused on their boardroom mates than the future of Western Australia.

Mr Holt disputed the $20/t figure Mr Chaney used to try and justify shielding the big iron ore miners from the first special lease rental review over 50 years, stating he invited the
Wesfarmers Chairman to provide a break-down of the figure that Mr Chaney says Rio and
BHP are paying.

“In tough economic times, everyone has to pay their fair share. No other business or
household is still paying a charge at the rate it was set in the 1960s. It’s time to revisit how
mining revenues flow back to all Western Australians. What we’re proposing is not a new tax or charge, but a revision of an existing, tax-deductible charge which has not changed for 50 years” Mr Holt said.

Mr Holt said it was disappointing that Mr Goyder refused to acknowledge shareholder
concerns that $1-a-litre milk was damaging the dairy industry, but said he was pleased that
an ACCC inquiry, recently instigated by Federal Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce, will investigate supply chain contracts, trading practices and the impact of $1-a-litre milk on the dairy industry.

Mr Holt said that an independent report by Ag Consultant Steve Hossen for the WA Farmers Dairy Council concluded that $1-a-litre milk has cost the WA dairy industry supply chain $25m annually.

“Tighter margins mean less money for the processors to pay farmers. The big supermarkets must acknowledge that a sustainable price for milk is crucial for the survival of the WA dairy industry”.

Mr Holt said that through the big supermarket chains, Western Australia is importing 300 million litres of milk as cheese. “We pay the same price for the Eastern States cheese here
as they do in Melbourne, so Coles and Woolworths are subsidising that cheese transport”.

“If we could make just 10 percent of the cheese here in Brunswick Junction, rather than
importing product, we would not only keep dairy producers in business, but also grow the
industry”.

“Some WA dairy farmers have gone out of business, while others are struggling to make
ends meet as milk processors cut milk prices .
Wesfarmers, as the owners of Coles Supermarkets, should be supporting WA jobs and dairy producers. I challenge Wesfarmers to stop subsidising cheese from the Eastern States and to commit to stocking cheese made in WA”. Mr Holt encouraged consumers to support the WA dairy industry by buying branded milks and locally produced dairy products.


To find out more or make a submission to the National Dairy Inquiry, visit www.accc.gov.au
For media enquiries please contact Office of Colin Holt MLC on (08) 9724 1181

Business Links on nbn Website.

National Broadband Network Official Site.
www.nbn.com.au       

New ‘Guide to nbn Business’.
www.nbnco.com.au/connect-home-or-business/information-for-business/a-guide-to-nbn-business.html
 
New ‘Preparing for the nbn network’ + Interactive nbn readiness checklist.
www.nbnco.com.au/connect-home-or-business/information-for-business/prepare-your-business.html
 
Enhanced ‘Benefits’ and ‘Step-by-step guide to connecting’.
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www.nbnco.com.au/connect-home-or-business/information-for-business/step-by-step-to-connecting-your-business.html

Some useful Links for further Information.

Better Internet for Rural, Regional and Remote Australia.
www.birrraus.com
Australian Consumer Communications Action Network.
www.accan.org.au
Ookla speedtest site – for checking internet speeds.
www.speedtest.net
Comparison Website.
www.whistleout.com.au


Information provided by Mike Hendry - nbn advisor
Mobile: 0473 976 389
eMail: info@nbnadvice.com.au