Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced on Wednesday the Federal Government planned to take on a dominant funding role, delivering a health and hospitals network aimed at providing better health and hospitals for all Australians.

The plan proposed that the Commonwealth would provide a third of GST revenue to fund public hospitals, but locals would run them.

Wellington resident Eunice Thomas believes the reform would be good for the country.

“Something has got to happen with the health system, I think it will happen,” she said.

“(Kevin) Rudd is trying to do what he can, it’s a pretty big mess at the moment.”

Michael Field agreed the plan had potential and said hospitals needed more funding and staff.

“It’s good and I really hope it happens,” he said.

“They need more staff especially in rural towns like Wellington. At the moment the system is a mess and there is not enough staff or resources to meet demand.

“I think it’s a serious enough issue to go ahead with. They also need better equipment to get accurate diagnoses.”

During the announcement Prime Minister Rudd described how local networks would bring together a number of hospitals into a community of interest where the right spread of services would stretch across those hospitals.

While some are optimistic of the reform, others remain doubtful it will get off the ground.

“I don’t think it will happen,” Sharon Lane said.

“It’s not good now, and whenever Mr Rudd makes a promise, he lets us down.

“They need to stop spending on themselves, and start spending it on Australia.”

Jo Fernando said she did not believe any promises Mr Rudd made.

“He has never delivered on his other promises so I don’t trust him at all,” she said.

“The whole health system needs a good shake up, but if Kevin Rudd told me it was raining outside, I would have to go outside to look for myself.”

Mr Rudd also said under the proposed new national standards, maximum waiting times would be in place for elective and emergency surgery.