OAKESHOTT INDEPENDENT
OAKESHOTT WELCOMES PREMIERS REVIEW OF 4TH POD FUNDING
Independent MP for Port Macquarie, Robert Oakeshott, today welcomed the Premier's commitment in Parliamentary Question Time to review and reconsider the Department of Health's recent decision to exclude the "4th pod" from the Forward Capital Works Program for the next four years.
"I hope he is genuine in reviewing this decision and I hope he can find a way to get it included in the rolling works program.
"After all, it was Morris Iemma who was Health Minister when the hospital buyback took place in February 2005, and I remember walking through the emergency department rooms with him then, and his words that he would treat it as a priority, said Mr Oakeshott.
"Since then, we've had the masterplan process and now we're chasing our slot on the conveyer belt of project funding, and this is proving to be a substantial stumbling block at the moment, Mr Oakeshott said.
"The Area Health Service has recognised us as number one priority, yet the Department of Health can't find a way to provide us with the funding allocation, said Mr Oakeshott.
"This is why the Premier's response that he would review this decision and hopefully end this impasse between the Area Health Service and the Department is certainly welcome, and in many ways, is exactly the role a Premier should play in delivering sensible outcomes to communities like ours. I hope he is genuine in his intent, and local hospital services desperately need him to be, said Mr Oakeshott.
28 February 2008