Rehab closure not right

I have worked as an aged care worker for many years and am very concerned over the closure of the Woy Woy Rehabilitation Unit.

Former Health Minister John Della Bosca did not make the right decision for the ageing people on the Peninsula.

He did not consult the community on what would be best for the frail and ill.

These people do not have the means to travel to Wyong nor are they wealthy.

Many do not have family or friends to help and are not covered by private health cover. Politicians are out of touch as they are looked after during their old age with government pensions and allowances.

These Ministers do not have the money problems or transport problems that many in our ageing population are dealing with.

The facility that was shut down was a public facility that was in good condition and loaded with caring staff.

It was easy to access whether by public or private transport.

The ageing population is lucky if they can afford private cover and it is for this reason that providing the Central Coast with private facilities will not be helping those who cannot afford it.

The public hospital system will not be able to handle the extra workload as they are not coping now.

These hospitals are already understaffed, overworked and way over budget.

Central Coast voters were under the impression that, with a local Labor Minister in John Della Bosca, the thoughts and best intentions for the community would be heard.

As a local, Mr Della Bosca should have been more in touch with the community and what would benefit them.

The public hospitals were left in a mess by the Liberal Party but now it seems that Labor has not met the needs of the voters either.

Every election we listen to many promises from these Ministers and every time we seem to be not heard or ignored.

These Ministers are happy to take the aged vote but do not seem happy to deliver what has been promised.

The elderly are already doing it tough in this economic climate and do not have the funds to be travelling to Wyong.

Many are too sick and frail and are flat out making ends meet already.

They do not need the burden or stress of having to travel when they are weak and sick.

They do not need the ignorance of the government ministers who are out of touch with the community.

What happened to the good old days when the elderly were admired, heard and looked after?

What happened to the Labor Party looking after the workers and the underdog?

Let's hope the newly appointed Health Minister can rectify the problem that John Della Bosca created.

Let's hope the new Minister consults the community on what is needed for the Peninsula.

Let's hope that they reopen Woy Woy Rehabilitation Unit as is should never have been closed in the first place.

As for Woy Woy Hospital, it is a good hospital with caring staff and doctors.

Gosford Hospital already is understaffed, overworked and over budget.

They will not handle the extra workload created if the hospital at Woy Woy closed.

The Peninsula has a high number of elderly and single parent households who do not have the money or means to travel all the way to Gosford.

Public transport from the Peninsula is not always an option with a sick person.

Can we perhaps extend an invitation to the new Minister to attend our next meeting on 24 October, at St Luke's Church in Woy Woy?

Coral Roberts, Woy Woy 15 Sep 2009