Della Bosca Can’t Deny Cuts to Health: They’re in His Health Mini-Budget

14 August 2009

Health Minister John Della Bosca can’t deny cutting hundreds of frontline health positions under the banner of redundancies – these are the cuts he outlined in last Novembers disastrous Mini-Budget, Shadow Minister for Health Jillian Skinner said today.

The Mini-Budget cuts $205 million from the eight Area Health Services, and a further $38.4 million directly from nursing budgets in hospitals.

“The Mini-Budget cuts are starting to bite, and hundreds of frontline health workers are losing their jobs,” Mrs Skinner said.

“Every Area Health Service has offered staff redundancy, and those that leave – including doctors and nurses – are not being replaced,” she said.

“John Della Bosca can make all the excuses he likes, but the reality is jobs are being lost on the frontline of our hospital network.

“What’s worse is that these cuts will continue until the election under Labor.

“According to the official Rees Labor Government schedule, the Mini-budget cuts don’t stop for another three years, and continue cutting until 2012.

“John Della Bosca has the wrong priorities: sacking frontline health workers when everyone knows we need more doctors, nurses and allied health professionals working in our hospitals.

“After 14 years in government, Labor has failed to run a health and hospital system that works.

“Instead of positioning himself for a tilt at the Labor leadership and sacking frontline health staff, John Della Bosca should focus on fixing our hospitals.

“The NSW Liberal/Nationals have positive practical plans to fix health management in NSW, all Labor has are cuts and worsening services,” Mrs Skinner said.