Health cuts pain set to begin with beds, waits

GEELONG Hospital faces its own D Day this Friday as Barwon Health’s board votes on how to accommodate a Federal Government mid-year budget cut of almost $5 million.
In the gun are more than a dozen hospital beds set to close and elective surgery waiting lists at risk of blowing out by 100 per cent to 12 months and longer – all effective immediately.
The Gillard Government has cut $4.9 million in Barwon Health funding following a mid-year budget revision.
The Government based the cuts on figures putting Victoria’s forecast growth next year at .03 per cent despite 1.5 per cent growth across the state and nationally in the past year.
A bloody political row has broken out over the funding cuts, with Labor arguing it is spending an extra $900 million nationally over the next four years and attacking the Baillieu Government for $616 million in health funding cuts over the past two budgets.
Victorian hospitals face a $1.6 billion cut over the next four years following the mid-year federal review.
Health board chiefs met federal Health Minister Tanya Plibersek this week to vent their spleen over the unexpected cuts and their impact on current and future operations.
Under the federal cuts Colac Area Health will lose $255,000, Otway Health and Community Services $35,000, Lorne Community Hospital $32,000 and Hesse Rural Health $27,000.
Geelong Hospital has a waiting list of 500-plus for orthopaedic surgery. The average wait of six months would double under the cuts.
The forecast bed closures represent half a hospital ward.
Labor’s Member for Corio Richard Marles and Geelong MP Ian Trezise sheeted blame for Barwon Health’s woes to Victoria’s Coalition Government.
But Liberal candidate for Corangamite Sarah Henderson said Labor should stop blaming the states and join her in fighting the cuts.
Ms Henderson had launched a petition calling on the Federal Government to reverse the cuts, she said.
“Labor’s cuts to health across Corangamite and the Geelong region are heartless and extremely damaging.
“These cuts will lead to job losses and a cut in health services.”