Join Jillian Skinner and I for a Health Rally at Bowral Hospital. Thursday 6th May 2:30PM Bowral Hospital, Bowral Rd. The Government continues to wind back Health Services in regional areas (see Media Release below).

Nick Illek - Secretary of Health Action Southern Highlands - will speak alongside Jillian and myself!

Con...tact 4861 3623 for details!


MEDIA RELEASE


30 April 2010


SUPPORT OUR HOSPITAL


Member for Goulburn Pru Goward is calling on the Southern Highlands community to join her and the Shadow Minister for Health Jillian Skinner at a rally outside Bowral Hospital this week.

Ms Goward said the proposed cut to orthopaedic operations at Bowral Hospital will mean patients are redirected out of the local area to Sydney for their procedures.


"Patients as old as 83 are already being asked to go to Royal Prince Alfred for a joint replacement operation rather than have it performed at their own local hospital," Ms Goward said.


"This means sending patients away from their family, friends and support network to have an operation performed still within the same area health service but still out of area.


"What remains a mystery is why it`s not possible to transfer extra funds to Bowral Hospital so the waiting list can be brought under control rather than send people out of the area which, I understand can end up being a more expensive process.


"Local orthopaedic surgeons have sourced prosthetic joints that actually save Sydney South West Area Health Service over $300,000 a year," Ms Goward said.


"The local health professionals are going out of their way to help reduce local waiting lists but they are being thwarted by some administrative or Ministerial decree that is intent on sending patients out of the local area.


"I have no idea if there is an ulterior motive but I am concerned by this seemingly concerted effort to downgrade local services.


"We have wonderful and dedicated medical and ancillary staff so why not fund the local hospital to deliver the service is does so well?


"I understand $200,000 has been spent on refurbishing the rehabilitation unit at Bowral Hospital but the will hardly be anyone using that service if patients are directed out of the area."


Ms Goward said a public meeting will be held on Thursday, 6th May outside Bowral Hospital on Bowral Road at 2:30pm.


"Shadow Minister for Health Jillian Skinner will be there to support our efforts to protect local health services," Ms Goward said.


"It`s vital as many people as possible get together to show the Health Minister we`re serious about local health."See More