FIGHT FOR THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS HOSPITAL
The announcement made on the 24th. May by the Minister for Health & Human Services The Honourable Lara Giddings to close the Ouse District Hospital has shocked and devastated the Central Highlands community. Along with provision of emergency services, the hospital has been caring for our people since the original Bush Nursing Hospital. Many families have experienced excellent Palliative Care nursing at Ouse for their loved ones. Palliative Care in our close community has been highly valued.
The Health Department had organised to come to the hospital at 4 pm on this date to talk to the Aged Care residents and their families. It was with dismay that some family members heard of the closure of the hospital on the 1pm news whilst driving to the meeting. The lack of compassion in this political announcement has caused a lot of anxiety and doubt in many people’s minds across Tasmania. This rural hospital offers employment to dedicated staff who are supported by a General Practitioner committed to the Central Highlands people.
Over 30 community members attended a Community Health Forum held on Wednesday, 16th. May at the Ouse Country Club where positive ideas were exchanged with the view to extending our health services across the Central Highlands. The results of the forum were forwarded to the Hon. Lara Giddings and the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Participants at the forum clearly exhibited a desire that the existing services be retained. Through negotiation and lateral thinking along with the moderation of some regulations it was felt that the Ouse District Hospital could serve our community successfully in the future.
The Medical Services Special Committee of Council were advised on Friday 18th. May at a meeting with representatives of the Health and Human Services Department that the community would be consulted before any decision was made regarding the future of the Ouse District Hospital. This did not happen.
Our community has a great deal to offer and asks the Minister to reverse her decision to close our hospital, allowing us to retain all our existing services and enabling us to plan expansion for the future for our people.