Tuesday 15 December 2009
BATHURST WAITING LIST INCREASES AGAIN OVER LAST 12 MONTHS
The 14-year-old State Labor Government has recorded the longest hospital waiting list on record, with 66,651 patients on waiting lists in hospitals across NSW, Shadow Minister for Health Jillian Skinner said today.
This includes 465 patients waiting for surgery at Bathurst Hospital.
“Labor’s health policies have failed Bathurst residents,” Mrs Skinner said.
“In the last 12 months the Bathurst Hospital surgery waiting list has increased by 16, from 449 to 465, up from 292 when Labor first came to power in 1995,” she said.
Hospital |
March 95 |
September 09 |
Increase |
Bathurst Hospital |
292 |
465 |
59% |
“There are more patients waiting for surgery in NSW than ever before and it is because the incompetent State Labor Government has failed miserably to deliver for families, patients and frontline health workers.
“This is the first time the hospital waiting list has topped 66,000 – it is not a record Labor should be proud of.
“Labor has broken the health and hospital system in NSW through 14 years of incompetence, weak leadership, broken promises and a list of excuses the public have grown sick and tired of hearing from Labor Health Ministers.
“Local Labor MP Gerard Martin is part of the problem, as he has been part of the incompetent Labor team focussed on internal factional fighting instead of fixing the health system.
Opposition spokesman for the Bathurst Electorate Rick Colless said it was clear only a change of government would see any improvement in local health care.
“Nothing in NSW will change until there is a change of government in NSW, and for there to be a change of government there needs to be State Nationals MP representing the Bathurst Electorate,” Mr Colless said.
“We have clear health policies, like removing Labor’s failed Greater Western Area Health Service and replacing it with Health Districts with local Boards that will re-empower local communities and expert clinicians.
“The NSW Liberals & Nationals are united, positive and have clear plans for real change,” Mr Colless said.