All people may need rehabilitative care
The widely promoted replacement of our Woy Woy Public Hospital Rehabilitation Wing with a brand new 30-bed wing for the Woy Woy Peninsula was opened with much chest-beating by Liberal and Labor politicians alike.
It happened because several thousand locals stepped up and supported the Woy Woy Public Hospital Alliance; citizens who simply refused to accept the insistence of so many politicians local, state and federal: "Your rehab is gone. It is no longer viable. It will never be returned to Woy Woy. There is bus access to Kanwal where Wyong Hospital is located."
My son James, who is 41 years old, has problems such as osteoporosis which were outlined in last fortnights Peninsula News on (page 9, December 9).
His disabilities, including the need for a special diet and assistance when communicating with doctors means he depends heavily on Judy and I to remain as a functioning member of the community.
Since he fell back in August, breaking his femur, he is becoming increasingly tied to the bed, because we can't provide the physiotherapy needed to aid in his full recovery.
Why is it an important local medical service which we were led to believe was returned to the Woy Woy Peninsula community, is not available to our children, parents and grandparents unless they are over 60 years of age?
All of these people, irrespective of age, may from time to time need the special service of inward rehabilitative care, supported in recovery by the easy access for friends and family.
We were given assurances as part of several political campaigns during both the State and Federal elections that the rehab would be returned to us.
Our son is not recovering as well as he should because he is being denied the best Australia and Woy Woy Hospital has to offer, because of some arbitrary age restriction being in place; a restriction which was hidden by the agreed removal of the word "geriatric" from the title of the new 30 bed wing.
The Alliance were flat out angered by the government's attempt to downgrade an important medical service which was stolen from us six years ago.
Our son James needs the physiotherapy which Woy Woy rehab is equipped to provide, and our involvement and assistance to help him recover well.
He needs us to be on hand to liaise with hospital staff and importantly provide his special diet.
We were not able to drive to Kanwal with his meals.
It is apparent there has been a downgrading of our very important medical amenity by stealth.
Email, 16 Dec 2013
Allen Lemon, Umina