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Time for NSW to take ownership for the management of its hospitals

The New South Wales Government would serve its people better by getting on and fixing the State's public hospital system instead of trying to blame others for its shortcomings, the Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator Kay Patterson said today.

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12 September 2003

Time for NSW to take ownership for the management of its hospitals

The New South Wales Government would serve its people better by getting on and fixing the State's public hospital system instead of trying to blame others for its shortcomings, the Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator Kay Patterson said today.

"Six months ago before the State election Mr Carr was telling everyone that the State's health system was 'better than it has been' and that he had taken responsibility for fixing the State's health system," she said.

"That was six months ago. Now we read in today's newpapers the misleading advertisements claiming that people's health care is at risk.

"What has changed in the past six months, Mr Carr?

"Instead of getting on with the job, Mr Carr is more interested in pointing the finger at everyone else instead of facing up to his responsibilities.

"NSW own figures show that from 1998-99 to 2001-02 NSW health spending decreased by -0.3 per cent in real terms.

"Since 1995 the Australian Government has allocated 16,866 aged care places to NSW. Over the same period NSW has closed 5330 public hospital beds. Closing beds puts pressure on hospital emergency departments.

Senator Patterson said it was time for New South Wales to stop trying to blame the Federal Government for its poor management of its own State public hospitals.

"Under the new $42 billion record hospital funding agreements NSW received $14.1 billion which is a $3.4 billion increase to help it run its State public hospitals," she said.

Senator Patterson said it was interesting to note that today's advertisements coincided with the release of reports critical of the poor performance of a State public hospital.

Media inquiries: Randal Markey or Sarah Higginbottom, Media Advisers, Senator Patterson's office, 02 6277 7220.