Hospital meeting draws large crowd
The Woy Woy Public Hospital Alliance attracted more than 60 people to the group's meeting at St Luke's Anglican Church hall in Woy Woy on October 24.
Group liaison officer Mr Ivan Kinny said it was wonderful to see group meetings still attracting large numbers and public interest almost a year after the Woy Woy Hospital rehabilitation unit's closure.
"It was almost standing-room-only at our last meeting of the Woy Woy Public Hospital Alliance," Mr Kinny said.
"The large attendance reflects growing indignation as the community becomes more aware of the enormity of a situation where the huge area served by Gosford Hospital has no rehabilitation unit to assist patients to return to their homes after hospitalisation.
"The newly-appointed Minister for Health, Ms Carmel Tebbutt, has been made aware of the gravity of the situation, and we have high hopes that she will bring fresh insights into the matter and prompt action.
"The Premier, Mr Nathan Rees, has also been approached."
Alliance president Mr Bob Mudge and Mr Kinny recently represented the group at a meeting of the Community Health Group, a body set up by the Department of Health to promote community awareness of available health facilities.
"Our representatives stressed the seriousness of the absence of rehabilitation services in this large area," Mr Mudge said.
"Petitions containing some 7500 signatures will shortly be presented to the NSW Parliament by Mr Chris Hartcher, Member for Terrigal, and we expect that such a forceful expression of public outrage will have a significant effect on our elected government.
"Our next meeting will be held, as usual, in St Luke's Anglican Church hall, Blackwall Rd, Woy Woy, on Saturday, November 21, from 2pm."
Press release, 27 Oct 2009
Ivan Kinny, Woy Woy Public Hospital Alliance