News
Peel Health Campus staff raise money for Aussie farmers
Sep 14, 2018
Peel Health Campus (PHC) staff have been raising money for drought-affected Australian farmers by hosting a special ‘Parma for a Farmer’ lunch to coincide with of R U OK? week.
PHC provided a free chicken parmigiana and salad to staff, who in return were encouraged to make a donation. In total $2,236 was raised for the farmers.
The money will be matched dollar-for-dollar by Ramsay Health Care (RHC) and donated to ‘Rural Aid’.
RHC Operations Executive Manager WA/SA Hospitals Kevin Cass-Ryall said drought conditions in certain parts of Australia, were taking a toll on the mental well-being of farmers.
“The lack of rain is having a severe impact across the country, especially on the east coast – and as a nation this is a real concern both for the country and the individual farmers and their families,” he said.
RHC will also waive hospital excess fees and/or co-payments to make it easier for struggling farmers to access the treatment they need.
Eligible farmers and primary producers who present to hospital for treatment between 1 October 2018 and 31 March 2019 will be able to access these discounts.
The offer will be available to people who are privately insured, whose farm is located in a drought-declared area and who receive the Federal Government’s Farm Household Allowance.
RHC Australia CEO, Danny Sims, said “As a caring organisation we want to help reduce some of the stress for farmers who needed to access health care treatments. Coming to hospital can often be a stressful time for people under normal circumstances, let alone for primary producers who are undergoing testing times through no fault of their own. We want to make it easier for drought-affected families to seek the care they need,” he said.
The initiative is part of a wider RHC strategy to provide assistance to farmers. This will also include the delivery of mental health assistance to local farming communities.
“Our employees are already dedicated to helping patients who need treatment within our facilities. Hosting this series of lunches across the country gives us all an opportunity to assist farmers beyond the boundaries of our hospitals and clinics.”
Ramsay operates 72 facilities around the country, including Peel Health Campus, Joondalup Health Campus, Hollywood Private Hospital, Glengarry Private Hospital and Attadale Rehabilitation Hospital in Western Australia.