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 Home News General
Hospital staff walk out over cuts in services to the public19 October 2005More than 100 public hospital staff in Melbourne today walked off the job over concerns that the Austin and Mercy hospitals have cut jobs and beds because the new health facility has not been adequately funded. 15 Austin staff had their jobs slashed this week and 15 Mercy maternity beds have been closed for the last two weeks - prompting concern that the Austin/ Mercy facility is struggling financially. Theatre and instrument technicians, nursing attendants, PSA's, pathology lab assistants, ward clerks, cleaners and food services, kitchen and clerical staff stopped work at 11 am, seriously disrupting the Bracks Government's newest hospital complex. Mr Jeff Jackson, State Secretary of the HSU said that the rush of job cuts and bed closures indicated that the joint facility was facing serious monetary problems. "Management's decision to cut jobs and beds is a sure fire indication that Austin and Mercy are facing serious financial shortfalls," Mr Jeff Jackson said today. "Workers are gravely concerned that more bed and staff cuts are just around the corner which is bad news for patients, workers and the local community". Mr Jackson said the HSU recently confirmed that the Mercy is $650,000 over budget. "The Health Minister must immediately step in and investigate why the Mercy is so far in the red," Mr Jackson said. "Both hospitals should be audited as a matter of urgency before more services and staff numbers are cut. "If more assistance is required to keep beds open and jobs filled - the Bracks Government must invest more in this vital health service." Mr Jackson called on the Bracks Government to make sure that both services had the funding needed to deliver the standard of care all Victorians deserve. "Workers will not just stand by and let patient health and their jobs be threatened by blatant cost cutting," Mr Jackson said. |
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© 2003 Health Services Union (HSU) |
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