UNION officials are mulling industrial action at Armidale Hospital following the federal government’s decision not to commit to the hospital’s $60 million upgrade.
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The Armidale Express understands industrial action at the hospital is currently underway, partly because of this situation.
Secretary of the NSW Health Services Union Gerard Hayes said an upgrade at the hospital was essential.
“Staff at this hospital are constantly being asked to do more with less and missing out on funding for this upgrade is absolutely gutting,” Mr Hayes said.
“While HSU members always work as hard as they can, constant budget cuts and failure to invest will inevitably lead to poorer patient care.”
The federal government confirmed late last week it could not afford its $50 million contribution.
It comes after a meeting in Canberra between federal Health Minister Peter Dutton, Member for New England Barnaby Joyce and Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall to discuss the project.
Acting head of the Rural Medical School at UNE John Nevin also agreed the upgrade was long overdue.
“The $60 million inpatient must happen for the community and for teaching of future, high quality doctors,” Professor Nevin said.
He was not surprised the decision had been made but it was “up to the state local member and the state government to look after the situation”.
Funding from the state was originally conditional of the federal government committing to its share of the funding.
However, a spokeswoman for NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner confirmed state funding would remain despite the decision of the federal government.
“The NSW government committed $10 million towards the redevelopment of Armidale Hospital on the basis the Commonwealth Government contributed $50 million. Our offer remains on the table,” she said.
Mr Marshall said he was “frustrated” with the outcome of the meeting, but would be talking with Ms Skinner about reviewing and updating the three-year-old plan, with the possibility of allocating more state funding.