Box Hill Hospital suffering under Labor

News Release - 3rd June 2002

The latest figures on hospital waiting lists and waiting times, released by the Government on Sunday, show that Box Hill Hospital's performance has deteriorated badly under the Bracks Government.

Comparing the latest figures with the corresponding figures for the last March quarter under the Kennett Government, the number of patients on waiting lists for semi-urgent elective surgery has risen from 312 in March 1999 to 512 in March this year, a 64% increase.

Over the same period, the number of patients staying in emergency wards for longer than 12 hours has risen 380%, from 72 to 348.

Box Hill Hospital's emergency department went on ambulance bypass 10 times in the March 2002 quarter, compared with only one bypass in the March 1999 quarter.

State MP for Box Hill and Shadow Treasurer, Robert Clark, said he was very concerned at the deterioration in waiting lists and waiting times at Box Hill Hospital under the Bracks Government.

"For years, Box Hill hospital has achieved among the best results in the State for waiting times, patients treated and few ambulance by-passes.

"However, Box Hill hospital was left under-funded when the new State Government broke up the hospital networks.

"Staff morale has deteriorated and vital projects such as the car park, needed by staff and visitors alike, have been bogged down in Government red tape and delays."

The Liberal candidate for Burwood, Di Rule, said that more Victorians were waiting on trolleys, being shuffled around the emergency system and waiting for elective surgery now than before Labor came to office.

"In Opposition, Mr Bracks and Mr Thwaites promised to have all the answers to Victoria's health system. After 2 ½ years in office, however, they are failing Victoria's health system.

"The eastern suburbs have a growing and aging population. With the scrapping of the proposed Knox Hospital by the Bracks Government, the Government has given no indication how advanced tertiary level hospital services are now going to be provided to the eastern suburbs."