It's unfortunate that NSW state politics has been focused on leadership quarrels and political coups, because out here in the country there are serious matters which warrant the prompt attention and response of government.

Rather than join in on the Days of Our Lives soap opera that's dominating political media, I've been down in NSW Parliament raising issues which really matter to the health and wellbeing of people in regional NSW.

Telehealth is being used by Local Health Services in place of physical health services, previously provided in-person by medical practitioners, to the detriment of people's lives.

Technology shouldn't be a convenient replacement for an actual doctor at the patient's bedside when a life is on the line.

I delivered a Notice of Motion in the Legislative Assembly, calling on the government, noting that the availability of face-to-face health services delivered by medical practitioners at some NSW Health facilities in regional communities is reducing.

I called on the government to immediately address the insufficient number of medical practitioners in NSW Health facilities throughout regional NSW.

I further called on the government to initiate an impartial peer review of all NSW Health facilities throughout regional NSW, to identify locations deficient in face-to-face healthcare delivery by medical practitioners, and to recruit and maintain sufficient staffing of medical practitioners to provide a standard of healthcare expected by the people of regional NSW.

I won't give up pressuring the government to deliver services for the people of the Orange electorate and the greater regional NSW, and that includes communications connectivity.

Following on from the Nationals' promise to improve mobile telephone and digital connectivity to the regions, I've asked the Deputy Premier for a status report.

The $400 million Regional Digital Connectivity Program has been promised to be delivered within this political term.

I've asked where the money is going and what has so far been delivered.

On June 17, 2019 John Barilaro announced that the government would make regional NSW black spot free and digitally connected across every corner of the state.

That is a bold statement from the Deputy Premier, but I'll be holding him to it.

I've asked him which locations or areas in our electorate which have been identified as mobile back spots.

I'll be sharing this with you so that you can have your say.

We don't want them to welch because they didn't have your black spot on their list.

I have also asked what his government's timeline is on achieving their commitment to make regional NSW mobile black spot free.

ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS DAY 2020

This week we acknowledged our allied health worker with the 2020 Allied Health Professionals Day.

Australia's 195,000 allied health professionals represent more than a quarter of the health workforce and deliver an estimated 200 million health services annually.

The allied health workforce is growing rapidly as demand grows across the aged care, mental health, disability and health sectors.

Allied health professionals provide a broad range of diagnostic, technical, therapeutic and direct health services to improve the health and wellbeing of the consumers they support.

Allied health is a vital component of health service delivery to people throughout our community.

Let's all acknowledge them and show our appreciation for these amazing people for their contribution to our health and lives.

NATIONAL CARERS WEEK 2020

This week is National Carers Week, which is an opportunity to educate and raise awareness among all Australians about the diversity of carers and their caring roles.

Carers do a lot who those they care for, but in doing so they also do a lot for our society.

I have had the pleasure of meeting many amazing carers across the electorate.

Thanks to all the carers for all that you do.