Larger regional centres in the Ovens Valley such as Wangaratta are under enormous pressure as are the smaller towns like Yarrawonga, Cobram and Myrtleford that are struggling to maintain health services within their community.
“As we reach June 2022, it’s no surprise that our health services are crippling across the State,” Mr McCurdy said.
“Wait times for ambulance services for instance are occurring in Melbourne as well as our regional communities. But there’s something important I need to highlight here.
“Should you require an ambulance in Metropolitan Melbourne a delay may not always mean life or death and there is a real possibility of a taxi or a friend who can take you the short distance to hospital.
“On the other hand, if you experience a delay in regional Victoria a taxi is not always an option and a friend is not necessarily just around the corner to drive you.
“From Cobram to Shepparton, or Cheshunt to Wangaratta – plus a wait time of 45 minutes to two hours in an emergency situation can be life-threatening.”
In Parliament Mr McCurdy said: “We need $20 to $30 million dollars just to maintain what we have in Cobram to keep the services going, and further investment is needed for our Yarrawonga services.
“The government for Melbourne needs to look further beyond the tram tracks where 25% of Victorians live.”
Mr McCurdy went on to say there is more to regional Victoria than Bendigo, Ballarat and Geelong.
“It’s time more is done for our smaller communities and health workers to help ensure that they can feel safe within their community, every Victorian deserves to feel safe in the knowledge when we need emergency health support an ambulance will come and a doctor is available at the hospital.”
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