Sign petition
Members of a community campaign lobbying the state government for funding for a new West Gippsland Hospital have one simple request – sign the petition.
Hundreds of petitions have been placed in shops and offices throughout Warragul, Drouin, Neerim South and Trafalgar with the aim of getting thousands of signatures.
The completed petition will be presented in State Parliament by Member for Narracan Gary Blackwood on March 27. Completed petition forms must be back with the organising committee by March 23 for collation.
As forms are completed they can be handed in to The Gazette office, 97 Queen St, Warragul. A copy of the petition is also available at the front counter for signing.
The petition calls on the government to acknowledge the planning for the new West Gippsland Hospital and fund the project in the May state budget.
“This is a matter of urgency. Our 100-year-old hospital is past its use by date and population in the region is soaring. The need is here. The planning is complete. The land is ready for our new hospital to be developed,” the petition says.
Campaign co-ordinator and former hospital anaesthetist Rob Sinnett said it was important members of the community spoke up on the issue.
He said it was important both sides of po9liutics committed to the construction of a new hospital.
The opposition has already committed to the project and land for a new hospital has been bought at Drouin East.
“We need this petition to have a strong local voice so that the government takes notice of us,” he said.
Dr Sinnett said the hospital had already capped births and tried to prioritise postcodes for local people. “But what happens when the hospital cannot cope with all the local people,” he asked.
“The high dependency has been closed and there are now only five dedicated beds within the ward for people needing high dependency care.
“It is not the fault of the hospital and because of the lack of high dependency highly qualified nursing staff who like to administer that type of care go elsewhere.
“As it is the staff at the hospital are doing a fantastic job coping with such an aged and inadequate building,” he said.
Committee member Kerry Elliott said many people had come on board assisting with the campaign which has been aptly titled “Where’s the Funding and “Sick of Waiting.”
She said it was important community people played their part.
Photograph
Another project underway is a joint community photograph which will be taken at Civic Park, Warragul on Saturday at 11am.
Organisers are hoping a mass of people will congregate on the hill behind the rotunda for the photograph.
“We would like as many people as possible to attend and to wear red as a symbol of hospital emergency,” Mrs Elliott said.
The photograph will be sent to the State Government and give people an opportunity to have direct involvement in sending a visual message.
Red where’s the funding t shirts also will be available
Anyone under 18 should be with a parent as the photograph will be distributed to the media, through social media and elsewhere.