Campbelltown Hospital in the firing line as more than $250 million ripped from the health system

30 October 2019

NSW Labor have demanded the NSW Liberals and Nationals come clean and reveal how Campbelltown Hospital will be impacted by the decision to slash $252 million from the health system.

Shadow Minister for Health Ryan Park revealed the government’s disturbing decision and said he held fears for hospitals throughout the state – including Campbelltown.

Campbelltown MP Greg Warren and Macquarie Fields MP Anoulack Chanthivong said Campbelltown Hospital already had a raft of problems due to inadequate funding and any additional cuts would simply add a heap of salt to an already gaping wound.

Issues at Campbelltown Hospital include:

  • Emergency department waiting times falling well below bench marks
  • Elective surgery waiting times continuing to blow out
  • A lack of staff and resources to support patients with mental health conditions
  • No mammogram machine permanently based at the hospital
  • A two-year, 400-child long waiting list for critical food allergy testing
  • The introduction of paid parking set to occur within a matter of months

“These cuts will impact every Local Health District, and people in Campbelltown have a right to know just how much will be cut from their Local hospital” Mr Park said.

“It simply adds insult to injury for our dedicated doctors, nurses and allied health workers who work tirelessly under enormous pressure. The Premier and Health Minister have to come clean – just how much funding are they going to cut from Campbelltown hospital?”

Mr Warren added: “The list of issues at Campbelltown Hospital is never ending.

“The staff at the hospital do an exceptional job given the lack of support and resources afforded to them. Any cuts at Campbelltown Hospital will have a devastating impact on the lives of patients and their families.”

Mr Chanthivong added: “I find it appalling that the Berejiklian Liberal Government can boast a $1.2 billion budget surplus yet has the audacity to slash millions from the health system.   

“As one of Sydney’s fastest-growing regions, our local health service is already under enormous pressure. Any cuts to funding would be a devastating blow to our local community and health workers, and we demand urgent answers.”