Pledge means nurses but no emergency

A Coalition Government would employ more nurses across the state, which would "boost services at Woy Woy Hospital", Shadow Health Minister Ms Jillian Skinner said last week.

But the party had no plans to introduce emergency services to the hospital.

Ms Skinner stated that the hospital was more for "rehabilitation" and "recovery".

Ms Skinner was visiting the hospital along with Liberal candidate for Gosford Cr Chris Holstein to announce the Coalition's $207 million commitment to bring 500 nurses back to the profession.

"This policy is great news for the people of Gosford and the Woy Woy Peninsula as it will encourage more nurses back to Woy Woy Hospital and that means better health services," Cr Holstein said.

"All hospitals are facing shortages of nurses and this translates to closure of hospital beds, meaning fewer patients are admitted to hospital.

"This adds up to longer waiting lists and jammed Emergency Departments.

"Just go down to the emergency department on a Saturday night and have a look at what nursing shortages are doing to our local hospitals."

Press release, 7 Feb 2007 Chris Holstein, Liberal Candidate for Gosford