State Labor Must Ensure Future of Bellingen Hospital

27 November 2009

NSW Leader of The Nationals and Member for Oxley Andrew Stoner today called on the Rees Labor Government to immediately rule out the closure or reduction in medical services at Bellingen Hospital.
 
According to recent reports, the State Labor Government is targeting Bellingen Hospital for possible closure.

This follows claims that maternity services at Bellingen Hospital have been cut, forcing expectant mothers to travel to Coffs Harbour to give birth.

Mr Stoner said the Liberals & Nationals would continue to campaign for the hospital to remain open.

“When you consider the run-down nature of the State’s health system, it’s ridiculous for the State Labor Government to impose further cuts to local health services,” Mr Stoner said.

“Doctors, nurses and medical staff at Bellingen Hospital provide a great service to the local community, and many residents would be worse off if it were closed.

“What we don’t want to see is State Labor allowing services and infrastructure at the hospital to get so run down that it will have to be closed for safety reasons.

“Under State Labor, half of the State’s rural maternity wards have closed, and it looks like Bellingen Hospital will be the next in line after State Labor allowed its services to run down.

“Whether it’s closing rural hospitals or failing to pay their bills on time, it’s clear that State Labor have failed at improving our health system.

“Labor’s North Coast Area Health Service has failed, it’s time to remove it and reorganise health management in the area.

“A Liberals & Nationals Government would address these issues by replacing Labor’s monolithic area health services such as the NCAHS with community-based district health boards.

“Under our plan, the Health Districts will be large enough to deliver a comprehensive range of health programs, both community and hospital based, but small enough to maintain links with communities on the North Coast of NSW and local clinicians.”