Pambula Hospital Public Meeting

Mr ANDREW CONSTANCE (Bega) [2.13 p.m.]: Last night 900 committed and passionate residents met in Pambula's community hall to protest against the State Government's mismanagement of Pambula hospital. I note the presence in the Chamber of the Parliamentary Secretary Assisting the Minister for Health. I hope he will convey to the Minister for Health the issues I raise. That 900 people attended a public meeting to protest speaks volumes about their concern and passion over the way in which the current hospital is being managed and services delivery takes place. The meeting follows the decision of the Labor Government to cut services at the hospital, including paediatric services and maternity services, and has resulted in the resignation by a number of doctors.

Last night's meeting was not about the location of a region-based health facility. It was not about whether it was between Bega and Pambula or about what resources should be given to the hospital. All communities on the far South Coast depend on both hospitals being resourced and managed properly. Last night's huge turnout was in aid of Pambula hospital, its future services, the return of lost services as well as the retention and enhancement of current services. I state for the record in the strongest possible terms that the State Labor Government should stop using the excuse of a new hospital as reason to reduce services at Pambula hospital when it does not even know if or when a new hospital will be built. The community of the far South Coast has been lied to every step of the way in relation to the $100 million hospital. The reality is that the State Government does not have the money to build it.

Labor's mini-budget, which was handed down on Tuesday, requires area health services to cut more than $200 million from their budgets over the next four years. That is stated in black and white in the budget papers, and it means that there will be cuts to front-line services. The delay in provision of the new hospital means that our utmost priority must be the enhancement of services at both Bega and Pambula hospitals. As I indicated earlier, the delay in construction of a new hospital should not be used as an excuse for not upgrading and restoring hospital facilities and services. There are a number of measures and plans that I would like to see roll out at Pambula hospital. I call on the Parliamentary Secretary Assisting the Minister for Health to take notice of these matters and I call on the Minister for Health to act immediately.

First, there should be immediate re-engagement of the doctors who resigned in protest, engagement with the nursing staff to listen to their concerns, and work undertaken on strategies to address low morale. Second, there should be an immediate overhaul of governance at the hospital with the appointment of an independent board of administrators that will include community representatives, nurses and doctors, who are empowered to implement a new system of management and decision making. Third, there should be a new clinical services plan to enhance services in the light of the decision to shut down maternity services. Fourth, there should be an upgrade of the hospital's facilities and funding for maintenance. Fifth, there should be better utilisation of the operating theatre with new surgery lists and, in particular, there should be increased availability of ophthalmological, general surgical and orthopaedic treatments. Sixth, there needs to be a mechanism to ensure better coordination between both hospitals, given that Bega and Pambula hospitals are dependent on each other. Seventh, there must be clear performance benchmarks at the Pambula hospital.

I was not able to attend last night's meeting because of the sittings of the Parliament, but I arranged for a statement to be read to those of the community who attended the meeting. I will be forming a community hospital action group with the intent of ensuring that current services at Pambula are enhanced, lost services are restored and, in the lead-up to completion of the new hospital, decisions are made in consultation with the local community, including local medicos, on the future of the hospital site and services that may be delivered in the future. I will hold a meeting on Saturday 22 November at 12.30 p.m. I invite interested members of the community to be part of the hospital action group. Given the Parliamentary Secretary Assisting the Minister for Health is present in the Chamber, I extend an invitation to him and any other member of the Government to attend the meeting.

Last night's meeting represents an enormous outpouring of concern from the community. When 900 people attend a public meeting in Pambula, it means that an incredible number of people are passionate about ensuring that hospital services are secured and restored. There is a way forward. I am willing to work with the Government, but I will not sit back while the Labor Party mismanages this facility and uses the potential delays associated with a future hospital development as a reason for cutting health services.