More hospital-related jobs to go at Casino

12 December 2008

A decision by the NSW Labor Government to put out to tender meal supplies for the State’s hospitals will put dozens of Casino jobs at risk, according to Clarence Nationals MP Steve Cansdell.

Mr Cansdell and other North Coast Nationals MPs met Health Director General, Debora Picone in Sydney on Thursday to raise concerns about 400 full time job cuts in the North Coast Area Health Service.

“It was heartening to hear Professor Picone tell us that casual and non-permanent nursing staff would be replaced by more full-time positions as a way of cutting back excessive overtime rates.

“While on the surface this seems reasonable if adequate nursing positions were filled, I was alarmed to discover that the Government is considering closing the kitchen at Casino Hospital and proposing to centralise meal production for hospitals across the state,” Mr Cansdell said.

“Meals for Northern Rivers hospitals are currently produced in recently refurbished kitchens in Casino. If that facility goes it means dozens of jobs will disappear, not just at the kitchens, but with the local businesses that supply them.

“Fresh food for patients should be sourced and prepared locally or at least regionally, not in Sydney,” Mr Cansdell insisted.