Shellharbour MP Anna Watson has expressed concerns over a state government position vacant ad for a director for Shellharbour Hospital’s redevelopment.
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Ms Watson is concerned the position – which will attract a salary of between $193,000 and $215,000 per annum – is being created to push the government’s privatisation agenda.
‘’We don’t need more cashed-up, fat cat bureaucrats to run the government’s privatisation of Shellharbour Hospital,’’ she said.
‘’We need more nurses and doctors and faster access to the emergency department for patients.’’
Applications closed on Tuesday for the full-time position which was advertised on a government job site.
According to the job description the director would provide ‘’executive leadership and direction throughout all phases of the project’’.
In 2015, the then NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner announced the government would invest $251 million in a major redevelopment of the ageing hospital.
However staff claimed they were blindsided when Ms Skinner announced last September that the hospital would be redeveloped under a public-private partnership.
‘’Since the announcement there has been no community consultation on the government’s privatisation plan and proposals from the private sector have been kept secret,’’ Ms Watson said.
However Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District chief executive Margot Mains said the district had continued to plan for the redevelopment since the original funding announcement.
‘’A director, with expert skills and experience, is now being sought to oversee the redevelopment of the hospital. The role will drive this significant project throughout all stages, regardless of the funding model,’’ she said.
‘’This redevelopment will deliver upgrades to services including the emergency department and additional theatres.’’
Meantime on Thursday Ms Watson moved a notion of motion in parliament calling on Health Minister Brad Hazzard to drop plans to privatise Shellharbour Hospital.
She also called on Mr Hazzard to visit the hospital and meet with stakeholders to discuss their concerns.
The minister has also been invited by hospital staff to speak at a community forum on June 5 at The Shellharbour Club.