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Funding cuts to Moonta and Ardrossan hospitals |
Monday, 10 October 2010
The State Government will no longer provide funding to private hospitals.
Health Minister John Hill supports the decision and has said "we are no longer going to subsidise private hospitals when we do not need to".
The private hospitals affected by Treasurer Foley’s budget funding cuts are the Moonta Hospital, the Ardrossan Community Hospital, Keith and District Hospital and Glenelg Community Hospital.
On learning that two hospitals within the Goyder Electorate, the Ardrossan Community Hospital and Moonta Hospital, would no longer receive funding from the State Government, I met with the boards of both hospitals to discuss the situation that now faces them and the distressing reality that both hospitals in Ardrossan and Moonta may be forced to close.
It is difficult to comprehend why the State Government are willing to risk the closure of health services, not to mention people’s lives, for a meagre saving of $1.174 million per year. It is appalling!
There is deep concern within the community at the possibility of the Ardrossan Community Hospital being forced to close its Accident and Emergency Department due to the withdrawal of funding from the State Government and the Moonta Hospital also being forced to close. Losing these services would be completely devastating for the entire region.
The Liberal Opposition are vehemently opposed to funding cuts to private hospitals and fully support the services they provide to our communities. Private hospitals are also essential to assist with easing the burden placed on public hospitals. As such we will do all we can to convince the government to reverse their decision on funding cuts to private hospitals.
Support from the public is essential in lobbying the government and I urge you to write to Minister Hill, as well as telling your family and friends to do the same. The public backlash against the State Government’s plans to slash country health services announced in the 2008 State Budget resulted in the government overturning their decision – it is all about the power of the people.
I am aware that a public meeting is being held in Moonta on Wednesday, 20 October at 7pm, for the public to raise their concerns. Hopefully the same will occur at Ardrossan in the near future. It is also proposed a public rally will be held in opposition of the funding cuts with details due to be announced soon.
On Monday, 10 October 2010, together with the Shadow Minister for Health, Dr Duncan McFetridge MP, I asked Minister Hill questions in Estimates - read more
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