Rural health climate meeting supported by Warwick doctor

GP backs national push for parliamentary action after seeing growing health impacts of extreme weather.

PRIORITY: Dr Lynton Hudson says health is impacted during extreme weather.

A WARWICK doctor has backed the move for more parliamentary action on the growing threat of extreme weather to rural residents.

The National Rural Health Alliance will descend on Parliament House on Thursday to tell MPs they believe extreme weather has made regional Aussies more susceptible to food and water security and health inequalities.

Warwick doctor Lynton Hudson said he had noticed significant health impacts on clients during drought.

“I guess it is because we are essentially all tied to farming,” he said.

“It can take a huge toll on a lot of people, trying to keep animals alive. There’s the physical energy needed, the financial and the depression of not knowing when it’s going to end.”

Dr Hudson said extreme weather meant regular check-ups often took a back seat.

“You see it all the time, “ he said.

“Health is not a priority, it becomes the last on the list when you have cattle needing to be fed. But people need to know if you’re not operating well nothing operates well.”

He said he hoped the event would push politicians to think more about forming a group of experts to act on the weather patterns.

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