Council to fight bed closure

Plans to move Woy Woy Hospital's 15-bed rehabilitation unit to Wyong Hospital have resulted in a public outcry, according to new Gosford councillor Jeff Strickson.

The closure of the rehabilitation unit was announced on October 1.

Cr Jeff Strickson said he had received many complaints against the closure from concerned Peninsula residents.

"There is a great need on the Peninsula for the rehabilitation clinic at Woy Woy Hospital," Cr Strickson said.

"I have been completely taken aback by the number of residents who are against the closure.

"It is such an emotional issue for this community and I intend to help them fight it."

Cr Strickson successfully moved at council's October 7 meeting for the council to write to NSW Health Minister and Central Coast Minister Mr John Della Bosca to appeal against the closure of Woy Woy Hospital's rehabilitation unit and to maintain its service on the Peninsula.

Cr Strickson said the proposal to provide a courtesy bus would not work.

"It would be extremely crass of the State Government to expect people in their early 70s and into their late 90s, to travel in excess of one hour, wait, then be treated and then wait until a bus load was ready for them to return.

"All have been diagnosed by doctors and only require the services provided by this rehab unit," Cr Strickson told the meeting.

"This, I believe, would be extremely tiring and an emotionally draining experience for people of this age group.

"The flow-on effect also has to be taken into account - the loss of employment to people who live in the area; some of these occupations are nurses, physiotherapists, administrative workers, cleaners and maintenance staff.

"The community on the Peninsula and the staff at Woy Woy Hospital have not been involved in any consultations, other than being informed that the rehab ward was closing.

"Northern Sydney Central Coast Health would have us believe that this to some extent is mitigated by the recent opening of the 20-bed transitional care unit at Woy Woy.

"What they don't tell you is that this unit was built and is funded by the Commonwealth and not State Government funds.

"Also the patients in this unit have to pay the equivalent of nursing home fees, that is, approximately 85 per cent of their pension for the privilege.

"This is beyond the means of most aged pensioners and makes it a commercially self-funded enterprise."

Gosford council resolved to write to NSW Health Minister and Central Coast Minister Mr John Della Bosca to appeal against the closure of Woy Woy Hospital's rehabilitation unit and to maintain its service on the Peninsula.

However, clinical director of rehabilitation and aged care services Dr Peter Lipski claimed the consolidation of rehabilitation services on the Central Coast would be a great benefit to patients.

"Having one centre for rehabilitation services at an acute hospital site will allow us to optimise the care we provide to our patients," Dr Lipski said.

He said rehabilitation services would be enhanced by improving access to emergency and specialist medical services by having them located in an acute-care hospital.

Dr Lipski also said the consolidated service would improve patient care through additional general and after-hour medical coverage available at Wyong Hospital and would improve teaching and supervision opportunities for staff.

Acting general manager of Central Coast Health Mr Greg Flint said a dedicated 30-bed centre would significantly improve efficiency.

Mr Flint said the move would also free up available space in Woy Woy Hospital to house community health services that have outgrown their current accommodation.

He said Central Coast Health were "looking at" providing a courtesy bus between Woy Woy, Gosford and Wyong to assist patients and relatives transport needs and to minimise inconvenience the move might cause.

"Central Coast Health is very aware that transport for visiting family members, friends and carers will in some cases be more difficult," Mr Flint said.

"We believe the main priority should be providing the best possible patient care in the most appropriate setting.

"By doing this, we expect to improve the recovery process and have these patients back in their homes as soon as possible."

According to Mr Flint, Central Coast Area Health expects to be able to complete the transfer from Woy Woy to Wyong during the next three months.

He said all staff affected by the move would be offered positions within the health service.

Press release, 7 Oct 2008 Cr Jeff Strickson, Gosford Council Press release, 1 Oct 2008 Terry Hayes, Northern Sydney Central Coast Health