THE state government said entering into a partnership with private hospital operators to deliver the planned expansion of Wyong Hospital would deliver the facilities faster and at reduced cost to taxpayers.
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But the announcement has been slammed by the Health Services Union and Labor as a sad day for public health in NSW.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter and Central Coast, Scot MacDonald, said local patients and carers would benefit from new health facilities at Wyong under the partnership program to fast-track the upgrade.
Hospitals at Maitland, Goulburn, Shellharbour and Bowral are also included in the government’s partnership plan.
“The NSW government is determined to deliver on its commitment and redevelop Maitland and Wyong hospitals sooner, to provide better services and choices for patients closer to home,” Mr MacDonald said.
Successful operators with a track record in providing quality health care would construct the hospitals and run them on behalf of the government, with all public patients continuing to have access to publicly-funded health care, he said.
The government has committed $200 million for the redevelopment of Wyong Hospital, with construction work to commence this term.
Wyong Hospital has a large catchment which includes parts of Lake Macquarie.
“Partnering with the non-government sector will bring real benefits,” Mr MacDonald said.
“By sharing building costs with the successful hospital operator, the facilities will be delivered faster and at a reduced cost to taxpayers so more money can be reinvested into providing even more and better health care for our communities.”
But the move has angered the Health Services Union, whose local members protested outside Wyong Hospital on Monday.
The facilities will be delivered faster and at a reduced cost to taxpayers.
- - Scot MacDonald
The union said the move was not flagged at the state election, and was an act of “deep political dishonesty”.
“A private operator will have to generate profit. That can only be achieved by underpaying staff and scrimping on patient care,” HSU NSW secretary, Gerard Hayes, said.