Goulburn MP Wendy Tuckerman says she's far from happy about a decision to move palliative care beds from the Bourke Street Health Service ahead of schedule.
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Her predecessor, Pru Goward, and the Southern NSW Local Health District, previously promised that no beds would move to Goulburn Base Hospital before its redevelopment was completed. The $150 million project is due to be finished in October/November.
But two palliative care beds have been transferred to Goulburn Base in the past few weeks. It has infuriated the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association who said Bourke Street had been left with a staffing shortfall as a result. Nurses were also leaving due to the overall uncertainty, organiser Pippa Watts said.
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Ms Tuckerman said was "very disappointed" by the move and had taken action.
"I made enquiries (with the Southern NSW Local Health District) on Monday morning on why this occurred and I haven't receive a very satisfactory answer," she said.
"I believe the decision was made without the LHD knowing and I don't know how that can happen."
Ms Tuckerman said she had requested that the general manager review how the decision came about and why.
She told The Post that the previous undertaking not to move beds ahead of schedule was "very serious."
"We weren't going to move anyone before the hospital was completed and as far as I'm concerned that's exactly what should happen. I am not happy about this."
The Nurses Association said only two nurses, rather than three, were being rostered across all shifts at Bourke Street, looking after 14 patients. It meant that one of them could not leave the ward for a break, leaving the other alone. The Marian Unit is a 16-bed facility, housing palliative care and general rehabilitation patients.
Mrs Tuckerman said she was concerned about the flow-on effect to staffing.
"I'm aware that two people have resigned because they don't want to work at the Base Hospital," she said.
"It's a personal decision for them but it's important we have the staff to deliver the services. I'm aware the SNSWLHD has advertised those positions and is hoping to get them filled as soon as possible."
The Health District says there will be "no reduction to services nor to staffing levels, including for palliative care" at the upgraded hospital. Further, a gradual transition of beds will occur over the next six months."
Ms Tuckerman's office there would be six palliative care beds in the new hospital and 16 sub-acute beds, the latter matching the Bourke Street capacity. Nurses at Bourke Street said they were told there would be four palliative care beds at the new facility. In contrast, The Bourke Street Health Service does not have a cap on palliative care spaces.
The Nurses Association has also expressed concern about the increased reliance on the state's Hospital in the Home program to deliver palliative care services. It's designed to reduce the length of hospital stays and in some instances to avoid them altogether with the help of home nurse visits.
Asked whether she was satisfied with this arrangement, Ms Tuckerman said she understood Goulburn had an ageing population but she believed current needs were being met.
"(But) we will always review these things to see if increases are needed," she said.
"The State allocated $56 million to palliative care in the last budget so there certainly is a focus on it but if there are discussions about increasing the service here, I will fight to get it.
"We just need to make sure we are getting things right as we transition to Goulburn Base. I'm disappointed with the way things have been handled thus far and we need to get some answers."
But overall she was pleased with the redevelopment's building progress. She told The Post "to the best of her knowledge" the work remained within the $150 million budget.
The Health District has still not responded to The Post's questions last Wednesday on this point and others concerning the Bourke Street bed move, the future of its hydrotherapy pool and other services. The SNSWLHD's lease on the Bourke Street building ends in early 2023.
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Louise Thrower
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
