Local health services in the Bundaberg area will get more expensive and health jobs will continue to be cut under Campbell Newman’s plans to Americanise our hospitals, Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk said today.
Ms Palaszczuk said latest figures showed the Newman Government had cut almost 350 jobs from the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service including 120 nurses and midwives as well as 25 health professionals.
Ms Palaszcuk said further job cuts were expected with the WBHHS poised to follow the lead of the Central Queensland HHS and privatise radiology services following pressure from the Newman Government.
“This is the start of the Americanisation of our health system,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“We’re moving down a road that means health services will go to those who can afford it first.
“Last week, in Parliament, Labor sought bi-partisan support from the Newman Government to fight Tony Abbott’s GP tax.
“Jack Dempsey and Campbell Newman had a chance to join Labor and take a stand against the tax but chose to support this unfair health co-payment.
“On top of this, privatising whole sections of our public health system will risk local jobs and threaten the quality of care to local patients.
“This is an ideological attack from the Newman Government and will do nothing to improve services for local patients.
“Jack Dempsey needs to stop being Tony Abbott’s cheer squad and stand up for his community.
“This is his chance to stop being a yes-man for Campbell Newman and Tony Abbott.”
Ms Palaszczuk said the LNP’s only plan was privatisation and asset sales that Queensland did not want.
“All that will do is drive up the cost of living and make health care harder to access,” she said.