[Greens-Media] Summer hospital shutdowns hit Illawarra and South Coast

[Alison Orme]

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon - Media Release - 5 December 2008

Summer hospital shutdowns hit Illawarra and South Coast

Greens MP and health spokesperson says the government is failing the
Illawarra and South Coast by not adequately resourcing local hospitals
during the Christmas and New Year period. They have been left with
little choice but to shut their doors to elective surgery and other
services (p. 3, Sydney Morning Herald).

“Even though the government has acknowledged the holiday season as
one of the busiest for public hospitals, particularly in coastal
communities flooded with tourists, it still has not found the resources
to meet demand,” Ms Rhiannon said.
 
“Wollongong and Shellharbour hospitals are reported to be closing for
at least four weeks over the holiday break and day surgery at Bulli
Hospital has already closed. 

“Further down the coast, Pambula Hospital has closed its maternity
and paediatric units, forcing children under 16 to travel to Bega
Hospital for treatment.

"Families and holiday makers will have to cross their fingers that they
do not need their local public hospital during the holiday period. 
 
" Health Minister John Della Bosca has failed needs to recognise the
urgency of the situation. He need to act now, not wait until hospitals
are closing services or operating without doctors and specialists.
 
"If the Health Minister does not respond he will be putting an
unacceptable burden on the community and the nurses who keep
under-resourced hospitals functioning. 
 
“Yesterday in Parliament I asked Health Minister John Della Bosca
about hospital preparations for the holiday season. 

“Mr Della Bosca promised that ‘patient care and safety will not be
compromised…and patients will have care and safety in an appropriate,
alternative location if that is required’.

"People on elective surgery lists are already waiting far too long for
operations. The extended closure dates will compound the delay.

“These closures are driven by budgetary constraints and the
government must step in to remedy the situation,” Ms Rhiannon said.

For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568




Alison Orme
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (p/t Wed-Fri)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile: 0432 332 104
Email alison.orme at parliament.nsw.gov.au 
Web www.leerhiannon.org.au