Friday 6 February 2009
SKINNER LAUNCHES ONLINE HEALTH SURVEY
Shadow Minister for Health Jillian Skinner today launched the NSW Liberal/Nationals Health Infrastructure Audit, an online health survey that will help provide a clear picture of the condition of hospitals around NSW, as well as providing frontline medical staff with an opportunity to express their views.
The Health Infrastructure Audit survey can be accessed at www.jillianskinner.com and also at www.barryofarrell.com.au and asks respondents for their opinions of local hospital facilities, and where things need to be improved.
“With not a single cent of recently announced stimulus packages addresses the rundown state of NSW hospitals, the public needs to send a strong message to the State Labor Government – completing this audit will do that,” Mrs Skinner said.
“We are encouraging doctors, nurses, patients and anyone else who is in close contact with their local hospital to complete this audit and send a strong clear message to the State Labor Government: that our hospitals are important and need more attention,” she said.
“I particularly encourage frontline hospital workers to fill in this survey – unlike Labor’s Kremlin control approach to healthcare – I value the opinions and values of hardworking doctors and nurses.
“I will listen to doctors and nurses because their input is critical to formulating health policy that works.
“This is an opportunity for medical professionals and the public to tell the NSW Liberal/Nationals exactly what their health priorities are.
“Our health professionals are hardworking and dedicated people, but they’re being expected to do their jobs in rundown hospitals, many without adequate air conditioning, holes in the ceilings and facilities that are decades old and out of date.
“The State Labor Government and Health Minister John Della Bosca try to cover up these problems and deny they exist. We need those medical professionals working on the inside to expose Labor’s spin for the public.
“The NSW Liberal/Nationals will give hospitals back to the people, empower doctors and nurses and deliver health policy that works. Filling out this survey will help facilitate this process,” Mrs Skinner said.