Media Release.
Shadow Health
Minister Jo-Ann Miller says Minister for Health Cuts and Closures Lawrence
Springborg needs to explain to the people of Queensland his plans to privatise
hospital services across the state jeopardising Queenslanders free universal access to
hospital treatment.
Mrs
Miller said Blackwater and Springsure Hospitals in Central Queensland have been
flagged for privatisation, Moura in-patient services are being outsourced and
the new Sunshine Coast University Hospital will be run by a private
provider.
“This
is only the beginning of the Americanisation of the Queensland health system
under this ruthless LNP Government,” Mrs Miller said.
“Queensland prides itself on its history of being able to provide free
hospital services to all regardless of income or background, this is now being
threatened by Mr Springborg and the LNP Government.
“Last week Mr
Springborg admitted that he instructs the health boards across Queensland to
make savage cuts and now he must explain to Queenslanders what his plans are for
the privatisation of a number of hospitals and health services across the
state.
“It is
disgraceful that in a thriving mining region such as Blackwater and the
Gemfields the LNP Government is transitioning to privatised health
services.
“We do not
want to find ourselves in a situation like the US where only the wealthy can
access health services in Queensland,” she said.
Mrs Miller
said Mr Springborg also needs to be upfront with the people of the Sunshine
Coast and outline which private provider will run clinical services at the new
Sunshine Coast University Hospital.
“The previous
Labor Government intended the new Sunshine Coast University Hospital to be a
public hospital, but now it seems the LNP Government are outsourcing clinical
services to a private provider,” she said.
“We fear this
is only the beginning under this LNP Government, with more and more hospitals
across Queensland being privatised, limiting access to health services to the
rich.”
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