THE Country Women’s Association of NSW is calling on the NSW Government to commit to practical reforms that deliver better healthcare closer to home.
CWA Awareness Week ran from 6-12 September, focusing on a simple message: ‘Stop normalising the rural health crisis. Start fixing it’.
The CWA is calling on the NSW Government to improve access to quality healthcare for people living in regional, rural and remote NSW by supporting the adoption and implementation of The Rural Health Plan, authored by the Independent Member for Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr.
Port Macquarie Branch marked CWA Awareness Week at their tearooms last Friday (5 September).
Members engaged with patrons about the CWA’s advocacy for rural health and shared information about the local branch while serving tea, coffee and scones.
Amy Jennings, a local stroke survivor and representative of the Stroke Foundation, was invited to share information about stroke awareness with members and patrons.
“Our members have watched local services disappear, maternity units close, and healthcare professionals become harder and harder to access,” Port Macquarie CWA president, Jill Adams said.
“For thousands of families outside metropolitan NSW, accessing healthcare has become increasingly difficult.
“Finding a GP can take weeks and specialist appointments often require hours of travel.
“Expectant mothers are forced to leave their communities to give birth.
“Older Australians travel hundreds of kilometres for routine appointments, while many delay seeking treatment altogether because of the cost, time and distance involved.”
The association’s call follows findings from the 2026 CWA of NSW Annual Women’s Survey, which identified access to healthcare as one of the biggest issues affecting women across the state.
Respondents highlighted ongoing shortages of local GPs, closed patient books, lengthy waits for specialists, rising out-of-pocket costs and the increasing burden of travelling long distances simply to access basic healthcare.
The CWA of NSW says these stories reflect a broader pattern of inequity affecting regional communities every day.
Rather than calling for another review, the CWA of NSW is urging the NSW Government to implement practical reforms already identified through the Rural Health Action Plan.
At this year’s State Conference, the CWA called for the NSW Government to provide at least $15 million in ongoing annual core funding to the Royal Flying Doctor Service to ensure vital medical and health services can continue to be available to people in rural and remote NSW.
CWA Awareness Week called for action on the rural health crisis, including this funding and support for the Rural Health Action Plan.
By Pauline CAIN
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