Thursday 4 March 2010
NSW CANNOT SUFFER MORE LABOR HEALTH CUTS:
NSW LIBS & NATS WILL STAND UP FOR REGIONAL PATIENTS
The NSW Liberals & Nationals stand firmly against any more Labor cuts to rural and regional hospitals and other health services, NSW Opposition Leader Barry O’Farrell, NSW Nationals Leader Andrew Stoner and Shadow Minister for Health Jillian Skinner said today.
“The NSW Liberals & Nationals are firmly committed to ensuring families in regional NSW have access to quality health facilities now and into the future - Kristina Keneally needs to explain which hospitals she and her Federal Laborcolleagues are going to close,” Mr O’Farrell said.
“After 15 years of Labor in NSW, rural and regional families cannot afford to suffer any further Labor cuts to local health services,” he said.
“We’re not willing to stand by while Labor cuts services to Bulli, Cooma, Parkes, Narromine, Gunnedah, Cessnock, Springwood or Woy Woy – the families in these communities deserve quality care.
“Kristina Keneally must guarantee that any changes to health funding agreed by her State Labor Government will not further disadvantage regional NSW.
“Families in rural and regional NSW deserve a guarantee their hospitals and community health facilities have a future.
“The NSW Liberals & Nationals have positive plans to deliver a health system that re-engages demoralised medical professionals and puts patients first.”
Mr Stoner said NSW families already endured a two-tier health system under Labor where rural and regional patients were treated like second-class citizens.
“Families in rural and regional NSW are already suffering under Labor’s two-tier health system where country communities are ignored,” he said.
“Hospitals have been downgraded, neglected and rundown by the State Labor Government, who have promised upgrades but delivered nothing for many regional communities.
“Regional communities will not be ignored under a NSW Liberals & Nationals Government – we will listen to the community and local medical staff.
“Our Health Districts will put healthcare back in the hands of the community and their medical experts.”
Mrs Skinner said since coming to power in NSW, Labor has closed 34 maternity units across the State, and slashed other important health services like paediatric care and surgery.
“The Federal Government report singles out our state for criticism, reinforcing the fact the NSW health system under Labor is one of the most wasteful in the nation.
“Labor’s Area Health Services have failed to deliver better care for NSW patients: that’s why we’re having this health debate in the first place.
“Everyone except the State Labor Government believes their failed Area Health Services need to be broken up – it’s time for Carmel Tebbutt to start listening and stop ignoring the experts.
“Only Carmel Tebbutt, in her complete ignorance, believes Labor’s Area Health Services should continue – even Kevin Rudd wants to break them up.
“It’s time Health Minister Carmel Tebbutt signed up to smaller health administrative bodies, like the NSW Liberals & Nationals Health Districts with boards.
“The NSW Liberals & Nationals will put patients first. It’s time to start the change,” Mrs Skinner said.