WA: Residents outraged at plans to scrap local hospital services

AAP General News (Australia)
04-04-2004
WA: Residents outraged at plans to scrap local hospital services

Almost 2,000 residents from the Perth foothills have held a public meeting over state
government plans to axe maternity and multi-day surgery services at a local hospital.

Services at the Kalamunda District Community Hospital could be dramatically reduced
and bed numbers more than halved from 53 to 25.

A report recommends the hospital cater only for aged care, rehabilitation, day surgery,
sub-acute and support for community-based palliative care.

The residents have unanimously backed a motion put forward by former Liberal health
minister JOHN DAY urging the government to acknowledge the hospital is crucial to provide
health services.

The motion also urges the government to acknowledge downgrading the hospital will result
in a loss of medical practitioners to the area.

AAP RTV ajm/lm

KEYWORD: KALAMUNDA (PERTH)

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