communities
rehab beds
the North West
People
living in the West Coast, Circular Head and King Island communities are
concerned by the Hodgman Minority Government’s decision to shut eight
rehabilitation beds at the North West Regional Hospital.
Labor
Member for Braddon, Anita Dow, tabled a petition of more than 1800 signatures
in Parliament today, calling for the Government to immediately reinstate the
beds.
“Despite a commitment
to keep the eight rehabilitation beds at the NWRH open, the failed former
Health Minister Michael Ferguson shut them without consultation a month before
the Government claimed ‘record funding in health and hospitals’,” Ms Dow said.
“The
North West Coast has an ageing and highly dispersed population with a high
incidence of chronic disease and services must be enhanced, not downgraded.
“This
change will mean more travel time for people living in our rural and regional
communities which is simply unacceptable.
“Understandably,
members of the community are outraged over this short-sighted decision and this
is reflected in today’s petition.
“I urge the Minister to listen to the community and immediately reinstate the eight rehabilitation beds at the North West Regional Hospital and also rule out further cuts to health services on the North West.”
Anita Dow MP – Labor Member for Braddon
