Wednesday 3 March 2010

PRIVATE DOCTORS IN BATHURST MUST BE RECRUITED TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM

The closure of St Vincent’s Private Hospital in Bathurst whilst regrettable, presents a golden opportunity for the other public health facilities in Bathurst to recruit the highly skilled staff and keep them in the local area, Deputy NSW Opposition Leader and Shadow Minister for Health Jillian Skinner and Opposition Spokesman for the Bathurst Electorate Rick Colless said today.

“The closure of St Vincent’s Private Hospital in Bathurst is a sad development,” Mrs Skinner said.

“I’m sure those in charge of the facility did all they could to keep the doors open,” she said.

“But while many people are viewing this event as a tragedy, I think it represents a great opportunity to inject some very talented medical professionals back into the public health care system.

“The Bathurst public health facilities should immediately begin speaking to the doctors, nurses and other allied health professionals about working in the public hospital and its associated facilities.

“The risk is that Labor’s failed Greater Western Area Health Service will drop the ball yet again, and allow these talented people to leave the local area.

“Health Minister Carmel Tebbutt needs to step in and make sure these talented medical professionals can be recruited to local public health facilities.”

Mr Colless said under a NSW Liberals & Nationals Government, the board of the local Health District would be able to directly assist in the recruitment process.

“The NSW Liberals & Nationals are all about more community involvement in local health facilities,” he said.

“Under Labor the failed Area Health Service, with its remote head office, will probably get it wrong yet again, which is Health Minister Carmel Tebbutt must ensure these valuable medical skills are not lost from Bathurst or the Central West,” Mr Colless said.