CUTS to Bendigo Health’s budget are disgraceful and callous, according to Liberal candidate for Bendigo Greg Bickley.
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Mr Bickley said the $2.9 million cuts would hit local families and the elderly the hardest.
“The money has already been committed by the hospital and with only a few days notice they’ve ripped out $3 million from the budget,” he said.
“It’s going to hit frontline services, the ER, elective surgery, the staff are going to be concerned about their employment ... $500,000 a month is going to be very hard to find. I’m disgusted that this federal government, in a desperate attempt to prop up a dodgy budget, is targeting Bendigo health to rip the money out.”
Mr Bickley said Labor candidate for Bendigo Lisa Chesters had to explain why Bendigo had been “savagely targeted” by the Gillard government.
But Ms Chesters said she had nothing to do with the decision.
“I’m not a current member of Parliament,” she said.
“How can you take responsibility for something if you’re not part of government? As a future representative of the area, if I have the privilege, I’m keen to work with the community to work out better funding models.
“There’s a model in place and it’s funded for population.
“People get the figures wrong all the time.
“If it’s a problem with the model, let’s sit down and work out a better model.”
Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie said the impact of the funding loss would be devastating for regional Victorians.
“Given that hospitals and health services have defined contracts employing people, cutting $3 million from anyone’s budget will have big impacts,” she said.
“Given they have very little notice on this cut, I’m sure they’re still in the business of finalising their plans.
“I’ll be making representations to the Minister for Health, Tanya Plibersek, to highlight the impact these cuts will have not only for Bendigo Health, but right across regional Victoria.”
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