Barrack Heights amputee Dave McCudden can’t fault the care he’s received in the region’s public hospitals – yet wonders if he’d get the same quality of care from a private operator.
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The 65-year-old joined a large crowd of patients, nurses, doctors and support staff at a rally against privatisation outside Port Kembla Hospital at midday on Tuesday.
In a short skit featuring Santa Claus and the Grinch, representatives acted out the ‘Christmas horror story’ they claim is unfolding at local hospitals.
They are opposed to the NSW Government’s plan to enter into a public-private partnership at Shellharbour Hospital – and worry what affect that would have on services like palliative care and rehabilitation at Port Kembla.
Under the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District’s long-term plan – developed in 2012 – some services at Port Kembla will eventually be relocated to the larger Shellharbour Hospital.
‘’I had my leg amputated below the knee in August due to osteomyelitis, and have been looked after at Wollongong, Shellharbour and Port Kembla hospitals,’’ Mr McCudden said.
‘’I can’t fault the care and the efforts of staff, but a lot of patients are worried that a private operator would not deliver the same quality of care, and would kick patients like us out too soon.’’
Dr Francois Joseph, a staff specialist in rehabilitation medicine, shared his patients’ concerns.
‘’These patients require lots of care and dedication – the rehabilitation process is not something that can be done overnight,’’ he said.
NSW Nurses and Midwives Association representative, and palliative care nurses, Nilda Miranda said the terminally ill needed high quality care.
‘’We need to protect the rights of the dying,’’ she said.
‘’We must not put our most frail and vulnerable patients under the care of private enterprise.’’
In September NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner announced that Shellharbour, Bowral, Goulburn, Wyong and Maitland hospitals would be redeveloped under a public-private model.
Expressions of interest from private providers to design, build and operate these hospitals closed in October, with the government forging ahead with PPPs at all but Goulburn hospital.
The NSWNMA, Australian Salaried Medical Officers’ Federation, Health Services Union and South Coast Labour Council organised Tuesday’s rally to highlight staff, and patient, concerns.
Ms Skinner has maintained that public patient healthcare would remain free under a PPP.
An ISLHD spokeswoman said plans to relocate Port Kembla’s services to Shellharbour were being reviewed given the announcement.