General News
19 August, 2024
Knives out quick sharp from the Nationals team
The knives came out over the surprise health services announcement last Thursday, almost before the ink was dry on the Minister's media release.
Member for Lowan Emma Kealy - in a joint media release with Nationals leader Peter Walsh - said the government was "marching ahead with mergers of regional health services, regardless of its spin and rhetoric".
“If it looks like a merger, impacts hospitals like a merger, then it is a merger,” Ms Kealy said.
“It is illogical to think adding another layer of administrative bureaucracy would ever make Victoria’s health system more efficient.
"Local jobs and local services will be lost."
Mr Walsh said local hospital boards would lose power, playing an advisory role only as key policies were set by central boards in large centres.
“Labor can call them networks or alliances, but it is still planning massive amalgamations,” he said.
Ms Kealy urged people to "see through this political spin, voice concerns about these plans, and continue to fight for your local hospitals to remain local.
"Get involved, visit www.handsoffourhospitals.com.au"
Mildura member Jade Benham joined in the National chorus: "We need transparency and assurances that no health services will be amalgamated in the future," she said.
“The Minister must now provide full details of its $1.5 billion health funding commitment and its implications for Victoria’s budget and publicly release its secret health services plan."