Better Healthcare Closer to Home

Published on 06 March 2026

Better Healthcare Closer to Home: Temora Shire Council Backs Rural Health Action Plan

Temora Shire Council is proud to partner with the Better Care, Closer to Home Alliance in supporting the six-point Rural Health Action Plan (RHAP), a practical framework to strengthen healthcare across regional and rural New South Wales.

Developed by the Independent Member for Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr, the RHAP is now backed by more than 40 organisations, all united in calling for stronger, community-focused services.

Council acknowledges the work already underway by the NSW Government. The Regional Health Ministerial Advisory Panel, of which Temora Shire Mayor Rick Firman OAM is a member, continues to strengthen community engagement and foster genuine co-design in the development of regional healthcare services. All 44 recommendations of the NSW Legislative Council inquiry into Remote, Rural and Regional Health services are now being implemented, demonstrating tangible progress.

Despite these efforts, residents of rural and regional NSW continue to face challenges in accessing timely care. Patients struggle to secure GP appointments, many remaining birthing units go on bypass and are not always available, and emergency departments remain under pressure. While short-term locum arrangements provide temporary relief, local communities need sustainable, reliable solutions.

Mayor Rick Firman OAM said the Temora Shire community benefits from the progress being made, but there is still more work to do.

“Dr McGirr’s Rural Health Action Plan builds on existing initiatives and ensures local voices remain central to decision-making.”

“By supporting local staff, improving access to birthing and children’s health services, and embedding communities in governance, we can provide care that is reliable, sustainable, and close to home.”

The RHAP builds on the Select Committee’s recommendations and provides a practical roadmap for turning things around through simple, common-sense reforms. The plan puts people first, redirects funding more effectively, strengthens accountability, and delivers real benefits for patients, families, healthcare workers, communities, and taxpayers.

Convenor of the Alliance, Dr Joe McGirr, said:

“The Action Plan outlines six action points — from local staffing and birthing services to community voices and accountability — that need to be addressed by the government so rural communities can access the care they need.”

“The plan is a roadmap to reform that will deliver better healthcare to complement the government’s ongoing work.”

“To have more than 40 groups representing rural and regional NSW supporting the plan not only shows the depth of concern about the issue but also demonstrates a real determination to unite and make a difference.”

“I thank everyone who is making their voice heard in support of the plan and I look forward to continuing to work together to ensure rural and regional communities get the same standard of healthcare as those in major cities.”

The six points of the Rural Health Action Plan include:

• A GP Guarantee – fund flexible, team-based models and train a local workforce.
• A Watchdog for Rural Health – create an independent Rural Health Commissioner.
• One System, Working Together – fund Rural Health Precincts and require collaboration between hospitals, GPs and, community care.
• Local Staff, Not Fly-Ins – redirect funds to permanent staffing, housing and support.
• Local Voices, Real Power – mandate genuine consultation and embed communities in governance, including First Nations communities.
• Birth Closer to Home – reopen rural birthing units and expand midwife-led and culturally safe models.

Mayor Firman said the plan, alongside the NSW Government’s ongoing work, provides a realistic, community-driven pathway forward.

“This is about fairness. It’s about safety. And it’s about ensuring our shire residents, and others in rural and remote communities, can access care when and where they need it.”

“Temora Shire Council fully supports Dr McGirr’s Rural Health Action Plan and the ongoing work of the NSW Rural & Regional Health Division. The NSW Minister for Health and Minister for Regional Health, The Hon Ryan Park MP, has shown a genuine commitment to ensuring rural communities are not disadvantaged in accessing the healthcare they deserve.”

“While progress is being made, we remain confident that through Dr McGirr’s efforts and the Minister’s Regional Health Advisory Panel, we can build on this work and give our communities the best possible chance of seeing real, lasting improvements in healthcare across rural, remote and regional NSW.”

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Temora Shire Council Media Enquires

Corporate Communications Officer – Elise Hawthorn

E: communications@temora.nsw.gov.au

P: 6980 1127

Dr Joe McGirr MP Media Enquiries

Research & Media Adviser – Paul Terry

E: waggawagga@parliament.nsw.gov.au

P: 0419 618 599