Health Minister Brad Hazzard rebuffs inquiry’s call to halt demolition of Mona Vale Hospital
A parliamentary inquiry recommendation to halt the demolition of Mona Vale Hospital has been rejected by the health minister who said the decision to take down the old buildings was based on ‘safety’.
Manly
Don't miss out on the headlines from Manly. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- ‘He could light up the world’: Teen farewelled after tragic death
- Quadruple amputee’s plea: ‘Help me buy a home’
Health Minister Brad Hazzard has rejected the findings of a parliamentary inquiry which recommended restoring the emergency department at Mona Vale Hospital and halting the demolition of its main building.
Meanwhile, the Save Mona Vale Hospital group welcomed last week’s inquiry findings into the operation and management of the new Frenchs Forest hospital, which also looked at the provision of healthcare on the northern beaches.
“The inquiry confirms what the community has been saying for the last 20 years — that we must retain the emergency department at Mona Vale Hospital,” campaign chairman Parry Thomas said.
“It’s no surprise that the committee has called for the NSW government to immediately take action to reopen the emergency department at Mona Vale.
“And its recommendation to halt the demolition of the hospital’s main building as soon as the asbestos has been removed is only common sense.”
But Mr Hazzard this week completely rejected the inquiry findings as being politically biased and told the Manly Daily the decision to demolish the old buildings at Mona Vale Hospital was “based on safety and the presence of asbestos and engineering advice”.
“The plan is to have new medical facilities on the site,” he said.
“Those can’t operate from an old, decrepit, asbestos laden building not safe for access. Thus demolition must happen.”
As for restoring the emergency department Mr Hazzard said medical specialist advice is the “emergency services” currently being delivered at the site are doing precisely what patients require and there were also plans to enhance imaging.
Mr Hazzard went on to slam the inquiry report saying it was politically motivated and “instigated by the Labor Party”.
He also added that the report was devoid of any sensitivities towards the staff at Northern Beaches and Mona Vale hospitals who had told him they were “fed up with what they see as the constant Labor and media driven attacks on them”.
“It’s time to give the staff a huge pat on the back and to let go of the negativity driven by some who are obsessed with fighting old wars,” he said.
Despite numerous public protests from residents in the north of the peninsula, Mona Vale Hospital’s emergency department was closed in October 2018, when the new $600m privately-operated Northern Beaches Hospital opened.
The emergency department was replaced by an Urgent Care Centre — a 24/7 walk-in service for minor injuries and illnesses — which has been well used.
Among the 23 recommendations by the inquiry committee chaired by Labor’s Greg Donnelly, included setting up a regular direct bus service from Palm Beach to the new hospital and that Transport for NSW look at alternative options to widening the Wakehurst Parkway given flooding and other environmental constraints.
Another recommendation was for NSW Government to never again allow a private operator to run a public hospital, effectively abandoning the controversial public-private partnership model, adding it could “negatively affect people from lower socio-economic backgrounds”.
It followed a disastrous opening amid staff shortages, and stock shortages including a lack of painkillers, bandages and even body bags.