The Government has refused to rule out cutting more crucial healthcare services on the North West Coast.
Labor Member for Braddon, Anita Dow, said Will Hodgman failed to answer in Question Time today whether the Government planned to close geriatric beds and palliative care beds at the North West Regional Hospital and instead provide these services from the Mersey Hospital only.
“This Government has broken a commitment to people living in North West communities to increase health services,” Ms Dow said.
“Despite a commitment to keep the eight rehabilitation beds at the NWRH open, the failed Health Minister Michael Ferguson decided to shut them a month before the Government claimed ‘record funding in health and hospitals’.
“Despite community outrage over this decision, the Government has refused to reinstate the beds.
“Now we fear the Government is on the verge of breaking yet another commitment with Will Hodgman today refusing to rule out closing geriatric beds and palliative care beds at the NWRH.
“He also couldn’t provide a date for when the promised dedicated palliative care beds at the Mersey Hospital will finally be opened.
“The North West Coast has an ageing and highly dispersed population with a high incidence of chronic disease and equitable access to health services is critical.”
Anita Dow MP
Labor Member for Braddon
