New $98 million Bathurst Hospital a problem - mayor calls for return of community based hospital board

Apr 2 2008

Following the submission of a 54-page list of complaints by nurses regarding Bathurst hospital, the mayor of the city has called for return to community based hospital boards.

According to the nurses' association, a two-day health and safety audit has identified a significant number of problems with the new $98 million Bathurst Hospital.

The resulting 54-page document is now on the way to the chief executive of the Greater Western Area Health Service.

The nurses' association says most of the problems are centered around the emergency department and range in severity.

The problems appear to be in the main about inadequate working space and a failure to comply with ergonomic standards.

The association believes the audit will prevent similar mistakes being made at the new Orange Hospital and ensure that occupational health and safety consultation will in future be part of any hospital planning process.

Mayor Paul Toole's comments come after revelations last week that Bathurst’s hospital is ranked by the Greater Western Area Health Service as a district hospital, a lower ranking than the hospitals at Dubbo an Orange.

The mayor says listing Bathurst hospital as a district hospital sends out the wrong message to any health professional interested in moving to Bathurst.

He says Bathurst is one of the fastest growing regional centres in the state and needs to retain its base hospital to ensure the future health of the region.

Dubbo mayor Greg Matthews has also called for the dismantling of GWAHS and a return of community accountability through hospital boards and he also wants higher staffing levels, more money for patient care, and a new Dubbo Base Hospital.