By Vanessa Chircop
A FUNDING and services report received by Hobsons Bay council from Western Health caused a stir at last week’s council meeting.
On 17 May the council moved to seek details of the annual State Government funding of the Williamstown Hospital over the last 10 years and the volume and types of services provided by the hospital.
As a result Western Health CEO, Kathryn Cooke gave an informal presentation to the council on the services provided by the hospital last month.
Upon receiving the information Cr Angela Altair said there was no doubt the entire network was under increasing pressure because of the population explosion.
“The important thing for us is to work with all levels of government, State and Federal to make sure we do continue to put pressure… to provide adequate services,” she said.
Cr Altair said over the 35 years she has lived in Williamstown she has seen Williamstown hospital go from a general hospital to what it is today.
“Ms Cooke came to the council in good faith and was very open with us,” she said.
“I think it’s incumbent upon us to work with Western Health and its administrators to get the right outcomes.”
Cr Luba Grigorovitch said it was unfortunate that not all councillors attended the presentation with Ms Cooke.
Cr Tony Briffa said general hospitals only exist in the eastern suburbs claiming not one western hospital can be considered general.
“Why the hell do we want to settle for anything less here in the western suburbs,” he said.
“We have four campuses of one hospital.”
Cr Altair said it was important for the council to deal in facts.
“In my recollection Footscray Hospital is a general hospital,” she said.
“I think we need to be careful and continue to deal in facts.”
