Sunday, November 1, 2009

HEAL Media Release - HEAL Applauds Bipartisan Approach to Maternity Service at BMDAMH

HEAL has applauded the combined efforts of Jillian Skinner, the NSW Shadow Minister for Health and Blue Mountains MP, Phil Koperberg for delivering a strongly worded Motion in the NSW Parliament concerning the provision of maternity services at Blue Mountains District Anzac Memorial Hospital (BMDAMH).

“Mrs Skinner placed the original Motion before the NSW Parliament in October 2008 and it has taken a full year to have the Motion debated” said HEAL spokesperson, Janet Mays.

“Phil Koperberg, with the agreement of the Opposition, then amended the original Motion to acknowledge current concerns regarding staff recruitment at BMDAMH. The end result was a strongly worded Motion that was unanimously passed in the Legislative Assembly.

“We really appreciate the efforts of both Mrs Skinner and Mr Koperberg in bringing this Motion before the Parliament.

“We especially acknowledge the amendment from Phil Koperberg which calls upon the Government to direct the Sydney West Area Health Service to do all that is necessary to permanently maintain services at Blue Mountains District ANZAC Memorial Hospital” said Ms Mays.

Jillian Skinner has advised that she will participate in HEAL’s It’s a Bl**dy Long Way to Nepean Hospital! walk on Saturday November 28th. Mrs Skinner will walk stage 1 from BMDAMH to Wentworth Falls. Phil Koperberg will then meet the walkers at his Springwood office at the completion of the first day.

The It’s a Bl**dy Long Way to Nepean Hospital! walk is intended to underscore the distance that Mountains residents are routinely required to travel for basic primary healthcare services.

HEAL is hopeful of meeting the NSW Minister for Health at the completion of the walk to hand her a letter requesting that BMDAMH be reclassified as a rural hospital and that current service/bed closures be prioritised for re-opening.

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