Callous healthcare cuts are starting to bite the frontline as nurses and employees in the Latrobe Valley raise concerns about the Allan Labor Government’s plan to merge hospitals across the state.
Victoria’s 76 health services are set to become 12, as smaller regional hospitals are forced to merge with larger hubs in a move that will devastate local communities and lead to poorer patient outcomes.
The Nationals’ Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, said Labor had recently cut up to 100 Registered Undergraduate Student of Nursing (RUSON) positions at Latrobe Regional Health and instructed the hospital to put a “freeze” on all recruitment.
“The funding cuts, recruitment freezes and planned mergers are death by one thousand cuts for our regional health services,” Mr Cameron said.
“While the Allan Labor Government continues to oversee multibillion dollar blowouts on major projects like the $216 billion Suburban Rail Loop, they are slashing the budgets for health services that every Victorian needs and deserves.
“Local hospitals are a source of pride for our communities, are major employers, and ensure that locals can get high quality treatment without having to travel long distances.”
This year’s budget cut $207 million from public health on top of millions cut from dental services, aged care, ambulance services, health workforce training and maternal and child health.
The current funding level is not enough to cover wages, basic expenses such as food and medicine, with hospitals reporting cuts to catering and cleaning staff, as well as services.
“Labor’s plans will lead to more job cuts, a loss of community input into local health service delivery, and poor health outcomes for our regional communities,” Mr Cameron said.
“Labor can’t manage money, can’t manage our health system, and regional Victorians are paying the ultimate price.”
