THE RAILWAY HOTEL Collaborations a key

CO-OPERATIVE partnerships can make a difference in rural health care, Boort District Health’s strategic plan consultant Claire Edwards said last week.

Speaking at an open access session before the service’s annual general, Ms Edwards said partnerships “working together to solve ... problems will make a difference”.

Ms Edwards said the new Buloke Loddon Gannawarra health collaboration was one partnership that would assist in providing services.

She said there was a national shortage of GPs with the days of doctors on call 24/7 gone while solutions included nurse practitioner models and telehealth.

More than 260 people have completed surveys as part of the BDH strategic plan review.

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Ms Edwards said survey data and feedback from street pop-up sessions would be shared with the board before it considers the final plan in April and then submitted to the Department of Health for endorsement.

However, she said there remained time for district residents to have input into the new strategic plan.

“A health service doesn’t live without its community,” she said.

Consultation had been been about what mattered to the community and what the district wanted to see from its health service.

“It’s not just about a valuable piece of infrastructure that employs people,” she said.

“I have heard how important it is to access services ... transporting to other services (in other towns) and then when you come back getting the right services.”

Ms Edwards said the process had been talking about doing better and identifying whether Boort could become a leader

Fresh pickings get tick of approval

A FRESH fruit and vegetable stall at Bridgewater has been given the okay by Loddon Shire Council.

The PTP Produce hit a snag with its produce stall at Bridgewater Bowling Club last October that saw council order its closure before granting a temporary reprieve while planning issues were addressed.

More than 300 people signed a petition within days of council’s original decision supporting owner Tom Mudge who had estimated the stall generated $15,000 for the club in its 18 months of operation.

“We thought we had gone through the correct process (for a permit) ... we want to do the right thing,” Mr Mudge said.

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A formal planning application was displayed on the stall earlier this year and council on Monday confirmed the permit had been granted.

Heat delays carnival

FORECAST high temperatures last Friday forced Wedderburn College to postpone its annual swimming carnival. The carnival will now be held tomorrow.

Public morning swim sessions at Inglewood, Wedderburn and Boort pools ended last week for the season. Loddon pools remain open until the March long weekend.

in providing better rural health services. Board chair Wendy Gladman said implementation of the new strategic plan would not hinge on State Government approval.

“We don’t wait to start implementation of the plan ... we generally start to improve direction (immediately),” Mrs Gladman said.

BDH chief executive officer Donna Doyle told the open access session the service was hopeful of having a permanent dentist within six months.

She said support staff was ready to assist a new appointment.

The current locum was working six weeks on, two off, while recruitment continued, Ms Doyle said.