Staff at Shellharbour, Bowral, Goulburn, Wyong and Maitland hospitals claim they were blindsided when NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner announced on Thursday that these hospitals would be redeveloped under a public-private partnership.

Ms Skinner has invited Expressions of Interest from non-government hospital operators to ‘’design, build, operate and maintain’’ the new facilities. She also indicated that instead of upgrading existing sites, brand new hospitals could be built at different locations.

Unions –  including the Health Services Union and NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association – met on Friday to discuss industrial action.

HSU Gerard Hayes said rallies and rolling stoppages would be held at all sites in coming weeks, with unions also planning a community awareness campaign.

‘’It’s fair to say everyone is absolutely outraged the government could privatise these hospitals with no notice, and no consultation with staff or the community,’’ he said. ’’A private operator needs to make a profit – that can only be achieved by underpaying staff and scrimping on patient care.’’

Mrs Skinner said the government would continue to cover the cost of public patients, who would receive free hospital treatment under any partnerships.

Permanent staff at the hospitals would be offered a position at the new facilities ‘’provided an equivalent position exists’’. Staff who migrated would have a two-year employment guarantee.

That offered little comfort for Shellharbour registered nurse, and NSWNMA member, Laura Valenzuela.

‘’The workers at Shellharbour are worried about losing their entitlements, their job security,’’ she said. ‘’I’ve worked at the hospital for 11 years; I’m 52; I no longer know if I’ll have a permanent position until I retire.’’

NSWNMA Shellharbour branch delegate and nurse Cameron Creighton said members hoped to get community support for their campaign.

‘’I think the NSW public has the right to know their government is essentially selling off their public hospitals,’’ he said.

The proposal has also been slammed by Labor and the Greens, however Parliamentary secretary for the Illawarra Gareth Ward said it would give the public more value for money.

‘’At the last election I committed the government to $251 million to improve hospital facilities at Shellharbour,’’ Mr Ward said. 

‘’I’m firmly committed to this but I believe we can do more by entering into a public private partnership to offer more services, better services in the Illawarra.’’