By ALESHA CAPONE
A WESTERN metropolitan MP has criticised ‘appalling’ funding cuts which have forced Williamstown Hospital to slash surgeries.
Last week Western Health announced it would reduce surgical activity across three months due to Federal Government funding cut backs.
Approximately 750 of the hospital’s elective surgery patients across several specialities will be affected.
A Western Health spokeswoman said the affected clients would be a mix of category two and three patients.
Category two patients are classed as ‘semi-urgent’ with conditions which cause some pain, dysfunction or disability.
Category three patients are classified as ‘non-urgent’ with minimal or no pain.
Liberal MP Bernie Finn said the situation was “going to cause considerable distress to people in the western suburbs”.
“I think it is just appalling that they are treating sick people, often who are frail and elderly, in this way,” Mr Finn said.
“This is just nonsense. Victoria’s population has increased and what makes it even worse is that located next-door to Williamstown is Wyndham, the fastest-growing area in Australia.
“Werribee Hospital has also been affected by the funding cuts, as well as Sunshine and Footscray hospitals.”
“It just makes no sense to me at all. It seems to me – as an observer – that this is part of the Gillard government’s ongoing war on Victoria.”
The Western Health spokeswoman said Williamstown Hospital hoped to treat some of the 750 patients at its Sunshine of Footscray hospitals instead.
Western Health’s acting chief executive Dr Arlene Wake said although no job losses would occur at the hospital as a result of the cutbacks, more than 70 staff members would face employment changes.
Dr Wake said those affected have been offered a range of options including the opportunity to take leave or engage in temporary redeployment elsewhere across the organisation during this period.
“It is feasible that some affected staff may opt to reduce their working hours in the interim period,” the hospital spokeswoman said.
About 60 medical, nursing and technical staff and nine support services staff at Williamstown Hospital will be affected by the funding cuts.
