Funding for after hours doctors

Woy Woy After Hours Medical Service will receive Federal Government funding of $99,700 over two years to ensure Peninsula residents continue to have access to after-hours GP services, according to Member for Robertson Ms Belinda Neal.

"This grant recognises both the long and demanding hours that doctors on the Central Coast are working and the difficulties that people are having in getting access to GPs after hours," Ms Neal said

"The Government's investment will ensure that as many people as possible in the Woy Woy area will have access to high-quality GP services when they need them.

"Good primary care in our local community means that people stay healthier, manage chronic disease and illness more effectively, and stay out of hospital."

Woy Woy After Hours Medical Service is located at Woy Woy Hospital on the corner of Ocean Beach Rd and Kathleen St, Woy Woy.

"This funding for after-hours GPs is good news for the Peninsula, but we need to actually increase the number of trained GPs on the Coast as well as improve their availability," Ms Neal said.

"We need to focus on Woy Woy Hospital and also on establishing a dedicated Central Coast Local Health Network."

Ms Neal urged community members to show support for her campaign to improve health services on the Central Coast by writing to her at: PO Box 577, Gosford, NSW 2250.

Press release, 28 May 2010 Belinda Neal, Member for Robertson