Why close the rehab unit?

Not all the facts have been considered in the closure of Woy Woy Rehabilitation Unit.

Everyone was surprised by the closure and articles written have been refuted by the NSW Government, but the fact remains the unit is closing unless we, as a community, do something.

Why is the NSW Government closing Woy Woy Rehabilitation Unit?

Woy Woy Hospital was opened 37 years ago due to the fundraising of the local community.

It has a 33-bed general hospital unit and a 30-bed rehabilitation unit to meet the local needs. Today, Woy Woy rehabilitation unit services Gosford Hospital and the Gosford Council area of 162,700 people.

Wyong Hospital serves the rehabilitation needs of Wyong Council area of 156,709 people.

The Central Coast is an aging population, and with the baby boomers just entering into the later stages of life with higher demands for rehabilitation services, it does not make sense to be closing any health facility.

Gosford's 65-plus population is projected to grow by over 50 per cent to 43,896 in 2022.

So why are we closing Woy Woy rehab unit?

The NSW State Government plans to move the rehabilitation unit to Wyong to a 30-bed unit. The fact is Woy Woy had a 30-bed rehabilitation unit that this government has downgraded to 15 beds.

Only under the current government has this facility been wound down and starved of funds and staff.

This is not a question of demand.

Many a time you hear of patients taking up hospital beds waiting for a bed at the rehab unit then they are moved out quickly to make way for new patients again.

It caters for adult patients of all ages, not just geriatric.

The unit, through the outpatient service, provides physiotherapy and rehabilitation for a range of patients with disabilities from accidents, strokes, amputation and operations; it also provides access to Woy Woy hospital's hydrotherapy pool to assist in the recovery programs.

So why are we moving Woy Woy rehabilitation unit when it has access to these existing facilities?

To suggest patients will be moved to Wyong is an insult to the local community.

How can you visit patients placed 48 kms away?

To say maybe a bus will be provided to visitors is not an answer when you work and are supporting loved ones.

To expect elderly visitor to travel over two hours on a return trip to visit partners is a disgrace.

How many hospitals are there between Sydney and Blacktown?

The distance is 48 kms, the same as Woy Woy to Wyong.

So why are we closing Woy Woy rehab unit?

It is all about a NSW State Government that cannot financial support its people.

To say that x-ray facilities are not available ay Woy Woy is true, but there are x-ray and specialist equipment next door at Brisbane Waters Private Hospital.

Local doctors use these facilities, so why can't a State health system?

In August this year, the new 20-bed inpatient unit for transitional care of aged residents was opened in the grounds of Woy Woy Hospital adjacent to the rehabilitation unit.

This $3.4 million facility with State and Federal funding was opened with politicians in attendance yet no one could inform the rehabilitation of its closure and the intention of converting it to offices.

Many of the staff are locals to Woy Woy. What happens to them?

Do they get local jobs? No.

Not all will find employment or be able to make arrangement for their children when moved away.

Did the NSW Minister of Health and the Minister for the Central Coast John Della Bosca consult with the local community or staff before announcing the closure of the Woy Woy rehabilitation unit in December this year?

Nn he did not, and he lives at Woy Woy.

On behalf of my family and residents of the Woy Woy Peninsula and Gosford Council area, which also includes Mooney Mooney and Spencer, we do not want to see the closure of the rehabilitation unit.

We do not want to travel to Wyong.

The Central Coast has the population to support two rehabilitation units at Woy Woy and Wyong.

The need was there at Woy Woy 37 years ago, so to suggest it is not required now shows a NSW government out of touch with its people and financially in trouble.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has told us that the states have till November to answer questions on our health and hospital system.

Should the states not demonstrate a level of cooperation then in 2009, we will go to a referendum to have the Federal Government take control of all levels of health.

Why should we lose a local facility that a Federal Government would keep?

I am requesting that my views be expressed and that you promote that a moratorium be placed on the current NSW Government not to allow them to close any health facilities where there is a genuine need.

Kaye Lovie, Empire Bay