Nursing Concern
Newcastle Herald
Friday November 28, 2008
MUSWELLBROOK Mayor Martin Rush has called on Hunter New England Health officials to reveal details of their Upper Hunter aged-care strategy in light of plans to offload the town's 18-bed aged-care centre.
Cr Rush also wants a guarantee that the service would not be downgraded and the centre's 16 nursing and domestic staff would not be adversely affected by the plan.The State Government announced in this month's mini-budget that the Muswellbrook centre and 10 other NSW nursing homes would be offered for sale or transfer to private aged-care companies.A Hunter New England Health spokeswoman said that the town's health services would not be affected by the aged care proposal.It was a top priority that those in care experienced minimum disruption during the change, while the staff would be offered a range of options, including a transfer to the new aged-care operators or redeployment within Hunter New England Health, she said.While expressions of interest would be sought from non-government organisations to buy the centre, no time limit had been set on the deal, the spokeswoman said.Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Mike Kelly said he was pleased that patient care would be maintained.Mr Kelly said he was not concerned whether the centre was publicly or privately run as long as health care standards remained high.Cr Rush said: "It is impossible for me, or anyone in the community, to comment on this proposal in a sensible way when the details of the proposed arrangement have not been made public."Health officials should reveal their strategy for aged care in the Upper Hunter and explain how the sale or transfer of this centre fits in with the plan."
© 2008 Newcastle Herald