“More Doctors than Police” is how the Mayor of Gunnedah describes his community's current situation for health access. This was not always the situation; the council and community have spent years working to reach this point. More and more local government is playing a key role in health access for their local communities. What can local government do without direct funding to deliver health services? What role do they play in helping their local communities get long-term health access? Rural Health Pro’s Jeremy Mitchell chats with Jamie Chaffey, Mayor of Gunnedah Shire and NSW Country Mayors Association Chairman, about how his council turned their situation around and why the NSW Country Mayors Association are becoming more active in health policy.