What is the latest information on health service improvements in the Hunter and New England areas?
Mr MORRIS IEMMA: I thank the honourable member for Port Stephens for his very important question. In July last year the Government announced a major restructuring of this State’s health administration which included the amalgamation of 17 area health services into eight area health services across the State. That was designed to release dollars that had been tied up in administration and redirect them straight into front-line health services. I am pleased to provide the House with updated information on the restructuring of this State’s area health services and on progress that has been made in releasing funds that had previously been tied up in administration and redirecting them to the delivery of front-line health services. For many years the north-western area of New South Wales and the New England area in particular, have struggled to attract a medical work force to deliver rural health services. The New England area experienced difficulty in attracting staff in the specialised ar
