MEMBER for Mallee Anne Webster says its a “miracle” that services can be delivered “at all” in Swan Hill District Health’s (SHDH) “dilapidated” buildings.
Dr Webster was scathing in her letter to Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley this week, who claimed current funding would fail to complete for stage one of the hospitals re-development.
“It is in appalling condition and has been for decades,” Dr Webster said in her letter, seen by The Guardian.
“I commend the staff for the excellent care they provide within the burden of the inadequate infrastructure they are forced to work in.”
The Federal Government committed $30 million for the new hospital in 2019, while the State Government gave the service a pulse after committing $18.7 million towards a new emergency department in March last year.
“Given that the state government has primary responsibility for hospital infrastructure, this funding can only be described as tokenistic, at best,” Dr Webster said.
“In fact, the current funding will not even complete stage one.
“This is an unacceptable and unsatisfactory situation for the good people of Swan Hill and region.
“It is a great disappointment to the people of Swan Hill that the State Government has shown so little commitment to their health and wellbeing.”
The new emergency department’s footprint will be three times larger and include six additional treatment spaces and a short-stay unit that will allow staff to help more acutely unwell patients for longer periods.
SHDH chief executive Peter Abraham previously said he was hopeful funding could be secured for stage two works before the new emergency department opened in 2024.
He said parts of the hospital were “equally as old as the emergency department, just not as old and not as unsafe”.
Mr Foley said the government “will continue to work with the Swan Hill community and surrounding districts to make sure all the health needs of those communities are addressed”.
The funding comes after a four-year community campaign for a complete rebuild of SHDH, but the announcement only covered stage one of the masterplan.
When asked why the funding had taken so long to be forthcoming, Mr Foley said conversations with the SHDH board had taken place over that time.
“The Commonwealth partnered with a contribution 18 months ago and conversations with the board have taken place over that time, those conversations resulted in the total package coming forward for a world-class health facility,” he told The Guardian.
“We continuously invest, rebuild and keep health services open, we will get this project done and then more than happy to talk with the board and look forward to continuing that partnership.
“Many communities rightly campaign for new, improved facilities. This government is spending $5 billion improving health infrastructure and a further $3 billion in the pipeline.”
Dr Webster said this week she toured the halls and wards of SHDH.
“The board showed me stage one of the new hospital plans and I am aware that the masterplan for the complete build has been submitted to your department,” she told Mr Foley.
“At this point you have made no funding commitment to complete the next stages of the masterplan.
“The approach you have taken to throw funding breadcrumbs to the region will result in an ongoing piecemeal approach to services.
“I know that the Peter Walsh, Leader of the Nationals, has repeatedly called for a commitment by Labor to build the desperately needed new hospital.”
Dr Webster said Mr Abraham informed her that 120 staff would be decanted for the stage one rebuild.
“The cost of decanting these services to buildings around Swan Hill for leasing and refurbishment so that health services can continue, results in less money going to the actual
building, especially if it is delayed,” she said.
Public information sessions to discuss the stage one plans are yet to be announced by SHDH.
Swan Hill Council Mayor Jade Benham said it was party politics rather than looking after the health and wellbeing of people.
“It’s political game playing and essentially playing with people’s lives,” she said.
“We have been screaming for a new hospital for 20 years … I was born in that hospital and nothing has changed.
“Other facilities are screaming out for new buildings and say, ‘Not before Swan Hill, don’t you dare’.
“Mildura is talking about a new location for the base hospital, and I think ‘Don’t you guys start talking about that before we get government finding we need in Swan Hill.
“Mildura’s hospital just went back into public hands, your hospital is fine.”
