Today Shadow Minister for Health and Shadow Minister for the Illawarra and South Coast Ryan Park handed over a petition signed by thousands of residents of the South Coast of NSW calling for a properly resourced level 4 hospital in the Eurobodalla.
Mr Park says the petition points to critical shortfalls in accident & emergency, maternity and paediatric capacity in the Eurobodalla and highlights the new hospital will open without an intensive care unit or inpatient mental health services.
Mr Park received the petition from community health care advocates in Moruya earlier this month along with the Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips and Member for Eden Monaro Kristy McBain, at a community event attended by representatives of the Health Services Union and the Nurses and Midwives Association.
“I am proud to sponsor this petition on behalf of the South Coast community for a better deal and a better hospital in the Eurobodalla. This petition is calling on the Government to deliver a hospital that meets the needs of this growing community and provides the services from day one that the community expects and deserves.” Mr Park said
Mr Park said the Eurobodalla community, doctors and health care professionals have been fighting for many years for better health services on the South Coast.
“Many patients in the Eurobodalla are forced to travel outside the region for vital health and mental health services. This is simply not good enough, people in the Eurobodalla deserve to have access to the same health services as people in other major centres, without the need to travel long distances.” Mr Park said
We need to make sure people in the regions of NSW get the health care that they paid for and they deserve.” Mr Park said
The petition, signed by 3,453 residents was tabled in the NSW Legislative Assembly on Wednesday 17 November where it will be referred to the Minister for Health the Hon. Brad Hazzard MP for a written response.
Mr Park acknowledged head petitioners Fitzroy and Mylene Boulting and the “ONE” New Eurobodalla Hospital Action Group who have advocated fiercely for better health care services on the South Coast.
