Bob Baldwin, Member for Paterson has today spoken out in Parliament, urging both Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and New South Wales Premier Kristina Keneally to guarantee the future of local hospitals.

Fears have been raised in the local community after reports in the Daily Telegraph that several hospitals in the Paterson electorate will be forced to close under the Rudd Labor Government’s new plan for hospitals. Those hospitals on the hit list include Tomaree Community Hospital, Gloucester Soldiers Memorial Hospital, Bulahdelah Community Hospital and the Dungog Community Hospital.

“Kevin Rudd’s new policy is extremely light on detail and is clearly designed to take the focus off his failed, devastating home insulation scheme,” said Mr Baldwin.

“Labor’s plan will add yet another layer of bureaucracy to the administration of heath services without any real, tangible improvements.

“Just this week I met with locals at forums in Nelson Bay and East Maitland where health was the major concern and where people were adamant that local hospitals need to be kept open and supported with more resources,” said Mr Baldwin.

Mr Baldwin now wants a guarantee that neither the New South Wales nor Federal Labor Governments will close any hospitals in the Paterson electorate.

“My constituents rely on local hospitals, which are also important for employment and economic viability of small communities,” said Mr Baldwin.

“Kevin Rudd and Kristina Keneally should be alleviating the load on the Hunter’s major public hospitals by investing in local services however, as Labor’s plan to means test private health insurance shows; Labor clearly has no intention of doing so.”

Media enquiries: Alexandra Wilson – 0401 070 317