The Townsville Hospital and Health Board recently announced 200 health worker job cuts from Townsville Hospital, including 45 nursing positions.
Chair of the Board John Bearne has cited the need to ‘contain costs’ as the reason for the cuts.
Queensland Health Minister Lawrence Springborg has washed his hands of the decision, claiming “Every local hospital and health service has been given a budget, and they’ve been instructed to live within the budget… it’s up to them to choose how to do that.”
Now the Townsville community will bear the brunt of compromised patient safety – and signs are, this will be just the first of many cuts to health worker positions.
This measure directly contradicts Campbell Newman’s pre-election promise to secure “more nurses, not red tape”.
Broken promises, blame shifting and compromised patient safety. It’s not good enough.
Stand up for Townsville community, for Townsville health workers, and for yourself – your local health service could be next.
Complete the form below to send an email to John Bearne, Chair of Townville Hospital and Health Board.
Subject: I say NO to health worker job cuts inTownsville
To: John Bearne, Chair of Townsville Hospital and Health Board
CC: Lawrence Springborg, Minister for Health
Dear Mr Bearne and Mr Springborg,
I condemn the Queensland government and the Townsville Hospital and Health Board for their total disregard for the health needs of the people of north Queensland, as well as the workers who deliver public health services, by announcing 200 job cuts.
Health workers will not be able to maintain safe patient care if 200 are to lose their jobs.
I demand Queensland Health immediately enter into consultation with Queensland Nurses’ Union and other health union representatives to ensure no worker is forcibly made redundant and that patient safety is not compromised.
I call upon members of parliament to immediately contact the Premier and the Health Minister to ensure public health care in north Queensland is not compromised and that the announcement of 200 job cuts is immediately withdrawn.
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Yours faithfully,
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The Townsville Hospital and Health Service includes the Townsville Hospital, Ayr Health Service, Cardwell Community Health Centre, Charters Towers Health Centre (Eventide Nursing Home, Rehabilitation Unit, Tertiary Mental Health Service), Home Hill Hospital, Hughenden Health Centre, Ingham Community Health Service, Ingham Health Service, Joyce Palmer Health Service (Palm Island), Magnetic Island Health Centre, Richmond Health Centre.
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