Dr Mike Freelander says the opening of a Shepherd Centre in Oran Park was a great day for children with hearing loss in outer South Western Sydney.
The member for Macarthur has been championing such a facility since he got elected in 2016.
Yesterday he joined Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, health minister Mark Butler and local state and federal MPs for the official opening at Oran Park.
“It is wonderful that children in Macarthur with hearing loss can now access world’s best practice care on their doorstep,’’ Dr Freelander said.
“I have worked with The Shepherd Centre for over half a century, and I am extremely grateful for the care they have given to my patients and the fact that we now have The Shepherd Centre in Macarthur delivering services to young families is fantastic.”
The centre is expected to support more than 2,500 children with a hearing loss and help develop their listening, spoken language, literacy, and social skills.
It was a $2.4 million key election commitment by the Albanese Government for the people of South Western Sydney to meet demand for the services provided by the Shepherd Centre.
“Children with hearing loss deserve the best possible start in life and the best possible care and support,’’ the Prime Minister said.
“Opening this state-of-the-art facility here in South West Sydney will be life-changing for these children.’’
The Shepherd Centre has been in operation for more than 50 years, and has premises in NSW, the ACT and Tasmania.
