SPRINGBORG DETERMINED TO AMERICANISE SUNSHINE COAST HOSPITAL

Media Release.

 

Shadow Health Minister, Jo-Ann Miller, says the Newman Government has shown it is determined to run the new Sunshine Coast University Hospital as an America-style profit-making facility despite legitimate concerns of locals and health professionals.

 

“In his most recent comments the Minister for Health Cuts and Closures, Lawrence Springborg, has signalled the government’s plans to privatise SCUH services regardless of the interest level of the private sector,” Mrs Miller said.

 

“He has said the clinical support services at the new hospital would be delivered by private providers. (Question marks over uni hospital — Kawana Weekly 3 October 2013)

 

“The Minister is making those plans to sell off services such as pathology, radiology, and pharmacy services even before he supposedly has any idea of the level of private sector interest in running those services or the mainstream clinical services at the SCUH."

 

“It seems the Newman Government will flog off hospital services at any cost — and that means at the cost of service levels to locals and the cost of jobs for hospital staff."

 

“There is no other way to make private contracts attractive to profit-making providers other than cutting services and jobs."

 

“If the LNP had any respect for locals it would abandon its plans because the privatisation of the hospital was never mentioned prior to the 2012 state election."

 

“The SCUH should be run as a public hospital, just as it was intended to be run by the former Labor Government that started it.”