Rural health issues.
Two related issues dominate any discussion on rural health--the provision and maintenance of rural health services, and the continuing political battle to retain and improve these services. This battle is exacerbated by the importance that country communities attach to the provision of a doctor, a hospital, aged persons' accommodation, etc. This importance reflects the need for these services in isolated areas--the status this gives the community and the employment these services provide. The community's elected representatives have to determine how to evaluate the competing claims by communities for hospitals or other facilities. The local politician becomes the focus for the community's hopes and fears.
D001315:Australia; D006291:Health Policy; D006752:Hospital Planning; D012423:Rural Health