O'Neill praises Hospital Alliance

The Member for Robertson Ms Deborah O'Neill has praised the Woy Woy Public Hospital Alliance for their role in securing federal funding to revive the hospital's rehabilitation unit.

"The determined advocacy of the Woy Woy Public Hospital Alliance for the Peninsula community's health needs has been vigorously pursued at every level of government," said Ms O'Neill at the Alliance's meeting on Saturday, November 19.

"The result of that advocacy at a federal level is the substantial funding the Gillard Government has committed to re-establish 20 sub-acute beds and fund them through to 2012-3.

"Through courage and perseverance, the Woy Woy Public Hospital Alliance has won a great victory for the Peninsula."

The Gillard Labor Government has committed $21.7 million.

The State Liberal Government has committed $5 million.

The Woy Woy Rehabilitation Unit is now expected to re-open within two years.

Alliance chairman Mr Ivan Kinny invited Ms O'Neill to blow out a single candle on a mud cake as a gesture to symbolise the new beginning.

Mr Kinny thanked Ms O'Neill for her advocacy and urged fellow Alliance members to maintain their vigilance to ensure the delivery of the new unit.

Media Release, 24 Nov 2011 Matt Pulford, Office of Deborah O'Neill MP