Fed: Govt needs to fix rural obstetrics crisis, says Labor

AAP General News (Australia)
02-14-2005
Fed: Govt needs to fix rural obstetrics crisis, says Labor

Labor says warnings of a collapse in rural obstetrics shows the government has ignored
declining numbers of the specialists in country areas.

Rural Doctors Association president SUE PAGE has told The Australian newspaper that
obstetrics in rural areas could collapse within four to five years.

And the association's called for a national review of the specialty.

Labor's health spokeswoman JULIA GILLARD says the government should adopt Labor's election
commitments, including a $1.5 billion package to increase the medical workforce and doubling
the amount of money for training of rural and regional specialists.

AAP RTV rp/sb/wf/jmt

KEYWORD: OBSTETRICIANS (CANBERRA)

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