NURSES will challenge state election candidates next week on their vision for health in Goulburn.
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A new or upgraded hospital and work ratios will be front and centre. The NSW Nurses and Midwives Association will host the ‘Shine a Light on Health’ forum at the Goulburn Soldiers Club on the evening of Friday, December 5.
Goulburn branch secretary Jane Cotter said the night was a chance for candidates to tell people what they would do for local health, if elected.
“Health is shaping up to be a really big election issue,” she said.
Candidate and sitting Liberal member Pru Goward, Labor candidate Dr Ursula Stephens, the Christian Democrats Adrian Van Der Byl and The Greens Iain Fyfe have accepted invitations.
Outdoor Recreation Party candidate Wal Ashton was yet to be invited.
They will be given three to five minutes to articulate their vision.
This will be followed by a Q&A session.
While local health groups and professionals have been invited, Ms Cotter said they wanted members of the public to also attend.
“It is a community issue,” she said.
Health Minister Jillian Skinner and Opposition health spokesman Dr Andrew McDonald have also been invited.
The forum comes after Premier Mike Baird’s announcement on Tuesday that $600 million of a $20 billion sale of the state’s electricity infrastructure would be allocated to a ‘hospitals growth program.’
Ms Goward is hoping Goulburn will snare a chunk for a new or upgraded hospital.
Planning for the best option is currently underway.
The Goulburn Post understands staff were updated on progress by a Health Infrastructure NSW representative at a meeting yesterday.
Ms Cotter said the Nurses Association did not have a fixed view on the best option.
“We desperately need a better hospital, whether that is a new or upgraded one,” she said.
“Goulburn Base is just creaking and it makes it very difficult for members to work.
“It is the infrastructure but the Nurses Association also worry how we will staff a brand new hospital if we’re having trouble now.”
The Association is also concerned the government is favouring full or partial privatisation of hospitals, as with the Northern Beaches. Ms Cotter says this is not in patients’ best interests and will result in loss of public assets.
“Privatisation is aimed at making a profit and in general we worry that if you have two beds, a private patient will be given priority over a Medicare covered one.”
She described the poles and wires money as a “magic pudding” and a short-term fix for the state’s health problems.
Ms Cotter said the fact the Association had decided to hold the forum in Goulburn was a “feather in its cap.” The organisation recognised that the hospital needed the same staffing as a metro facility.
But as it stood, Sydney had six nursing hours to patients per day, while Goulburn had five.
“Goulburn was chosen to host the forum because we are trying to get the next category of nurse to patient ratios,” Ms Cotter said.
“The hospital is another thing but there is not much point having a new one if you’re short staffed.
“We have had some extra nurses from the last government and an enhancement under the current one, for which we are grateful.
“But if we have a new hospital, will we have more educators to support staff. That’s what we need answers to.
“We want the community to ask: ‘What can you do for us?’
Association general secretary Brett Holmes will also address the forum, which starts at 6pm.