Abbott cuts $8.3 Million for Mercy Hospital

Tony Abbott’s Liberal Government will slash $277 million from Victoria’s hospitals, heaping more pressure on a system already struggling to cope.

Joanne Ryan, Member for Lalor, Tim Pallas, Member for Tarneit and Jill Hennessy, Member for Altona have condemned  the $277 million cuts including $8.3million to be cut from the Mercy hospital group, meaning patients across Wyndham will suffer.

“Tony Abbott is slashing $277 million from Victoria’s hospitals, this is terrible news on top the cuts already implemented by Denis Napthine. Of all the states and territories, Tony Abbott has hit Victoria hardest” Ms Ryan said.

“Premier Denis Napthine has already plunged Victorian hospitals into crisis, with clogged emergency departments, ambulances taking too long to reach people in emergencies and more patients waiting longer than ever for surgery.”

“The money Mr Abbott will rip out of the system could clear the elective surgery waiting list or employ 3,000 nurses or open 500 new hospital beds” said Ms Hennessy.

“Mr Napthine said he would ‘kick and scream’ for a greater share of GST funding, but he has remained utterly silent on this massive cut to our hospitals that will affect patients right across Victoria” said Tim Pallas.

Labor has strong runs on the board when it comes to funding health locally, recent investment include;

• $28million for the new Community Rehabilitation Centre at the Mercy Hospital,
• $15million for the new GP Superclinic in Wyndham Vale,  and
• providing a headspace Youth Mental Health Service in Werribee

You can’t trust the Liberals with our health system. Victoria deserves better.