Privatisation: What Does It Mean For Staff and Patients at Swan Districts Hospital?

The Liberal State Government is privatising essential services in our hospitals in WA. So far the state government has privatised essential services at the new Fiona Stanley Hospital and plan to do so at the the new children’s hospital. The next one to go will be the new Midland Hospital. 

Why is privatisation such a bad idea? 

Privatisation of essential services in hospitals will have serious consequences for hospital staffing and patient care in WA. Private companies are there to make a profit, not provide the best possible service to the community. Privatisation leads to:  

• lower staffing levels 
• fewer resources 
• lower pay for workers 
• lower quality health care for your community 

With less staff, the remaining staff will also have more work to do in less time. Privatisation of services means a break down in the team approach to health care and its front line staff will have to pick up the extra duties. 

If you want to learn more, come to our community forum: 

21 November 6.30pm 

Midland Town Hall, Cnr Great Eastern Highway & Old Great Northern 

More information: www.inpublichands.com 

EAT WELL - PLAY WELL: Booklet for Parents

A new free guide for parents ‘Eat well play well’ has been launched which covers a range of healthy lifestyle topics for children, including lunch box tips, advice on play activities, recipes and monitoring children’s screen time.

It is avaliable free for download here. 

Keep Midland Hospital in Public Hands

The Liberal National Government has already announced plans to privatise health services at Fiona Stanley Hospital, Albany Health Campus, Armadale Health Campus, Midland Health Campus, Busselton Health Campus and the new children’s hospital which will replace Princess Margaret Hospital.

Two companies, private hospital operators Ramsay Health Care Ltd and St John of God Care Inc have been shortlisted by the Government.

Ramsey Health Care Ltd is the current provider of the Joondalup Health Campus, which continues to perform significantly below the national average for many emergency services despite their profit rise of 39% in 2009/10, with a net profit of $148.3 million.

The privatisation agenda of this Barnett government will not deliver better value for money, nor will it provide the adequate services and level of care needed for residents in the Eastern Suburbs.

Health is a core service that the government is responsible for. Public ownership of essential services is crucial because this provides a system of accountability and responsibility.

I urge the local community to voice their opinions on the future of our local hospital, and to let their elected representatives know. We need essential services in control of an accountable government, this cannot happen when profits to shareholders are the main priority. 

Please come by my office to sign out petition calling on the Liberal Members of Parliament to vote in favour of, the No Privatisation of Hospitals and Schools Bill 2010.

OFFICE ADDRESS: High Wycombe Village Shopping Centre 530 Kalamunda Road, High Wycombe

WALK SAFELY TO SCHOOL DAY FRIDAY 20TH MAY

Walk Safely to School Day (WSTSD) is an annual, national event when all Primary School children are encouraged to walk and commute safely to school. It is a Community Event seeking to promote Road Safety, Health, Public Transport and the Environment. The event encourages parents, carers and their children to build regular walking to and from school into their daily routine, because children need a minimum of 60 minutes exercise per day. 

Take part in WSTD by walking your children all or part of the way to school, you not only start the day with healthier exercise but also you start the day with some quality time with your child. If you can’t walk all the way to school, walk with your child to the next bus stop away from your home. Or if you need to drive, park the car a fair few blocks away and walk the rest of the journey. 

For more information and promotional event material www.walk.com.au

Delayed Health Campus Insulting

The signage at the site of the Midland Health Campus has recently been changed, yet it will not fool the people of this area. Under the Labor Government the health campus was due for completion in 2012. Now the Barnett government has no clear time frame for the opening of the hospital, displaying a new “coming soon” sign outside the campus.

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