Pressure Mounts on Government Regarding South-West Sydney Health Crisis

NSW Labor is demanding the Berejiklian Government stop stalling and adopt

every recommendation from the NSW parliamentary inquiry into the Current

and Future Provision of Health Services in the South-West Sydney Growth

Region.

The Government has until May 30 to hand down its response regarding the

damning inquiry, which found the NSW Liberals had dismally failed to provide

effective and efficient health services in Sydney’s south west for many, many

years.

The 17 recommendations include:

The NSW Government address without delay the historical underfunding

of health and hospital services in South-West Sydney

NSW Health must increase the number of paramedics working in the

South Western Sydney Local Health District

NSW Health review current staffing levels and recruitment programs

Enhance radiology and ultrasound services after hours at Liverpool

Hospital

Examine the proposal of establishing paediatric surgery and other

paediatric subspecialties at Campbelltown Hospital

Examine the need for additional operating theatres at Fairfield Hospital

Shadow Minister for Health, Ryan Park MP, said the NSW Liberals had

miserably failed in its duty of care towards the people of South-West Sydney.

“The findings from the inquiry were alarming and really highlight the level of the

neglect shown by the NSW Liberals towards the people of South-West

Sydney,” Mr Park said.

“Berejiklian Government MPs are more interested in saving their fledging

political careers than the lives of residents in South-West Sydney.

“Every single recommendation must be adopted without hesitation, disclaimers

or conditions.”

Shadow Minister for Western Sydney, Greg Warren MP, said implementing the

recommendations was a matter of life and death.

“It would be quicker to catch a train to Sydney Airport, fly to Melbourne and get

a cab to The Royal Melbourne Hospital than what is to be seen by a doctor in a

South-West Sydney emergency department,” he said.

“That is not a reflection on the hard-working and passionate at staff at hospitals

in Sydney’s south west, that is simply an indication of the serious lack of

resources, support and funding given to staff at those hospitals.

“May 30 is just around the corner so let’s hope that the NSW Liberals, for the

first time in 10 years, do the right thing by residents in South-West Sydney.”