NSW: $29 million public buy back of hospital service

AAP General News (Australia)
12-23-2004
NSW: $29 million public buy back of hospital service

The New South Wales government will spend $29 million on taking control of public hospital
services at Port Macquarie on the state's mid-north coast.

In 1994, the former New South Wales coalition government entered into a $143 million,
20-year agreement with the private sector for a new private hospital at Port Macquarie.

New South Wales Health Minister MORRIS IEMMA says the government will buy back the
contract to run Port Macquarie Base Hospital from the Mayne Group for $29 million.

The government will also accept employee liabilities estimated at $6 million for superannuation
and long service leave.

Mr IEMMA says the deal will result in better services to patients through networking
with other public hospitals.

Meanwhile, Mr IEMMA has defended the closure over Christmas of maternity, surgical
and some intensive care services at Mona Vale Hospital on Sydney's northern beaches.

He says the shutdown is caused by the decision of an intensive care specialist at the
hospital to work at Blacktown Hospital over Christmas.

AAP RTV pj/jb/wz

KEYWORD: HOSPITALS (SYDNEY)

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