OAKESHOTT INDEPENDENT
OAKESHOTT WELCOMES $15 MILLION FOR HARRINGTON'S EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT AT MANNING BASE.
Independent MP for Port Macquarie, Robert Oakeshott, today said the comparison could not be greater between those in the southern half of his electorate, and those in the northern half, when it comes to health care capital works.
"Today, $15 million has been announced for an expanded emergency department at Manning Base Hospital. For the residents of Harrington and Coopernook, I certainly welcome this announcement from the Hunter-New England Area Health Service, and thank CEO Terry Clout for his commitment to the region, Mr Oakeshott said.
"Mr Clout recognises the growth needs of this electorate and region and is investing accordingly. These are important dollars that will help save lives, said Mr Oakeshott.
"Unfortunately, by comparison, those in the northern half of the Port Macquarie electorate are covered by the North Coast Area Health Service, and are being forced to swallow the view that the emergency department at Port Macquarie Base Hospital is not important enough to be funded for at least the next ten years of health department budgeting, Mr Oakeshott said.
"If the CEO of the Hunter-New England Area Health Service can see the growth pressures in the southern half of the Port Macquarie electorate and fund an upgrade accordingly, I am at a loss as to why the CEO of the North Coast Area Health Service cannot see an even greater need at Port Macquarie Base Hospital, and continues to tell the community we will have to wait another decade for the 4th Pod," Mr Oakeshott said.
The boundary between the two Area Health Services is at Johns River, which is right in the middle of the electorate of Port Macquarie, allowing this comparison between the two to take place.
18 May 2007