[Greens-Media] Baird-Grant government takes next step to unfair health care

[John Kaye]

Baird-Grant government takes next step to unfair health care

Media release: 29 October 2014

A behind-closed-doors deal with a private health corporation has taken NSW one step closer to an Americanised hospital system, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye

Dr Kaye was commenting on the announcement that NSW Premier Mike Baird and Health Minister Jillian Skinner had awarded Australia's second largest private hospital operator, Healthscope, the right to build, own and operate the Northern Beaches public hospital.

Dr Kaye said: "The profit motive is coming to a hospital near you and it will push aside a century-old tradition of health care focused on the patient.

"This is the next step towards state governments abandoning responsibility for quality hospitals and handing the sick and injured over to profit-driven corporations.

"At no stage has Health Minister Jillian Skinner been open with the people of NSW and released the comparison of long term costs between the Healthscope proposal and a publicly owned and operated hospital.

"While Minister Skinner might see downward pressure on wages and conditions as a positive, private sector operation will undermine any hope of securing nurse-patient ratios that save lives.

"Premier Mike Baird talks about saving money but in reality he is condemning patients to slower and less complete recovery.

"The nursing profession and other hospital employees will be under even greater pressure to maintain quality care outcomes with inadequate resources.

"There is no question the contract will be shrouded in commercial-in-confidence secrecy.

"Both the NSW Liberals and Nationals and their Labor predecessor have a solid track record of cutting sweetheart deals with private sector operators which fatten up profits, cut government costs and leave the state with poorer quality services.

"It is highly unlikely the public will see any of the contract until it is too late. There will be no way to stop the Coalition trading off minimum standards of care, nurse patient ratios and protections for the professionalism of nurses, doctors and other healthcare workers.

"Northern Beaches Hospital is a frightening blueprint for the next generation of hospitals.

"It takes the previous Labor government's deal with Infrashore to run the non-clinical services at the re-developed Royal North Shore and makes it much worse for patients, nurses, doctors and the community.

"The Greens are calling for the NSW government to abandon the privatisation of public hospitals," Dr Kaye said.

For more information: John Kaye 04907 195 455