Workers rocked by news

TEARS flowed as staff at Geelong Private Hospital were told of the site’s closure yesterday.

Employers received an email and text message inviting them to a meeting with management yesterday morning where they were informed of the hospital’s imminent closure.

One staffer, who wished to remain anonymous, described the speech as “reasonably generic” and said employees were given individual redundancy packages containing the “bare minimum”.

“Staff were told at the last moment. The union informed staff 20 minutes before the meeting,” he said.

“It was a formal announcement. They said thanks for your effort over the years, sorry it’s not viable.

“It’s four weeks until it has to be closed, but I can’t see it making four weeks. The doctors will fly, nurses will fly, people will have sick days.”

The worker, who described the hospital as his best job yet, said Healthscope made an offer to help redeploy staff.

“There was staff in there from 20-65 in the meeting. I fear for the older, less skilled staff in their 50s and 60s and the 457 visa staff — where do they go?” he said.

“The kitchen staff and orderlies and ancillary staff and reception.”

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation state secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick said workers were scheduled to meet in Geelong today to discuss the impact of the closure on staff.

“While the ANMF is very disappointed about the announcement we recognise our members need certainty,” Ms Fitzpatrick said.

“ANMF will ensure our members receive all of their entitlements and are well supported through this stressful process of finding a new position.”

For many workers, the announcement was a long time coming with the hospital at less than 50 per cent occupancy for months, according to insiders.

Many thought the direct underground tunnel access to the public hospital would give Geelong Private an edge over the competition but the relied on referrals from Geelong hospital had reportedly tapered in the past two years.

“It was never going to be viable after Epworth,” a staffer said. “Three private hospitals in a blue-collar town like Geelong with private health insurance declining . . . no due diligence was done.”

A Geelong specialist, who wished to remain anonymous, said it was no secret the hospital had been “struggling for a while” in the crowded market.

“St John of God and Epworth moved in and made it a competitive market and Geelong Private haven’t worked out how to adapt,” he said.

“They haven’t been able to place themselves . . . It’s not the quality of the staff or equipment, it’s just basic economics, unfortunately. Three private hospitals in a place the size of Geelong is a lot.

“Geelong Private doesn't have an emergency department and a lot of surgery comes through the emergency department, so having an emergency department gives (Epworth and SJOG) an advantage.”