RYAN PARK MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR HEALTH 

DR MICHAEL HOLLAND MP
MEMBER FOR BEGA

URGENT CALLS TO PROPERLY STAFF MORUYA EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

NSW Shadow Minister for Health Ryan Park was joined in Moruya today by the Member for Bega Dr Michael Holland to speak with local healthcare workers about the state of crisis our regional hospitals are currently facing.

Dr Holland, an obstetrician gynaecologist in the region for 20 years has been a vocal advocate, calling on the Liberal-National Government to urgently address the critical understaffing and poor conditions of health care workers and allied health professionals at Moruya Hospital.

“I’ve been informed that the new extension to the Moruya Accident and Emergency is ready to go but they don’t have the staff to open” Dr Michael Holland said.

“This government like to point out the number of hospitals they’ve built, but it seems there are never enough staff to make them functional. Our hardworking healthcare professionals are the ones that provide lifesaving care and this government have not supported them.”

Hospitals across the country have been overwhelmed, under-resourced and severely neglected by the NSW Liberals and Nationals – but particularly in regional and rural NSW.

Underfunding, capped wages and poor conditions have compounded over the years leaving our health system in crisis and staff leaving the profession in droves.

A Minns Labor Government have plans to redesign and repair the structure of the New South Wales health system by introducing minimum and enforceable safe staffing levels to public hospitals, starting with emergency departments.

Quotes attributable to Ryan Park MP

“I’ve heard too many stories from hospitals such as Moruya about serious bed block and rampant ambulance ramping.”

“The staff are doing an amazing job with the situation they are forced to work within, but they need help. It’s astounding they have had construction begin and finish, yet they couldn’t organise the staff to open the new facilities”

“This government is obsessed with ribbon cutting at shiny new buildings but they have failed to ensure there are sufficient staff to provide the critical services the community needs.”

“Our hospitals system is experiencing unprecedented pressure as a result of understaffing and under resourcing over a long time. There needs to be a change in the way in which we staff our hospitals.”

Quotes attributable to Dr Michael Holland MP

“We have one of the highest proportions of older persons in New South Wales. This is a region where health services are falling behind the changing needs of the community”

“We have buildings and buildings and buildings. We have structures that do not function.”

“Our services have been stripped and the community is missing out on receiving the care they deserve “

1 DECEMBER 2022