Regional Victorians continue to pay the price for Labor’s financial mismanagement as the cash-strapped Bendigo Health struggles for adequate funding.
The Nationals’ Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad said she was shocked to discover that Bendigo Health had recorded a $27 million deficit and received $46 million in supplemental funding just to stay afloat this year.
“Recent reports also show the hospital had trouble keeping the required amount of cash on hand to pay staff and run its day-to-day operations,” Ms Broad said.
“This is a terrible state of affairs.
“The Allan Labor Government is treating our health system, our hard-working health professionals and regional residents with disdain.
“While our hospitals struggle for cash, this will inevitably affect service delivery for patients and clients, as well as the ongoing health of staff.
“A total of 68 health service annual reports were recently tabled in Parliament, and they showed nearly every major regional Victorian hospital had a substantial deficit.
“In my electorate of Northern Victoria, other key health services are also struggling for cash.
“Albury Wodonga Health was one of the worst in the state, posting a $52.4 million deficit while Wangaratta’s Northeast Health posted a $12 million shortfall.
“Labor’s financial mismanagement and record debt is starving funding from Victoria’s hospitals and means poorer health outcomes for Victorian patients.
“The lack of doctors at regional hospitals is placing even more pressure on Bendigo Health.”
“It is concerning to hear about continued ambulance ramping, and residents waiting over 24 hours for a hospital bed.”
“One patient was moved from the emergency department and left to wait in the discharge lounge, to avoid overstaying their allocated time in emergency and make the books look good.
“Labor cannot manage money, cannot manage our health system and yet again regional Victorians are paying the price.”
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764
