Royal Women's Hospital under threat

Royal Women's Hospital under threat

By Kim Linden

MELBOURNE — Around 100 people took part in the Royal Women's Hospital 140th birthday celebration and rally on August 11, as part of the campaign to stop the relocation of some of the hospital's services and save it from closure.

The Royal Women's Hospital, located in Carlton, was founded on August 8, 1856, by a group of women specifically for poor women. The Kennett government is planning to relocate some of the hospital's services to St Vincent's Public Hospital, with some parts going to Werribee and Western hospitals.

According to a report in the August 8 Herald Sun, the government plans a major medical education centre "to attract corporate investment in medical research" in place of the hospital. The Royal Women's already has extensive medical and research facilities.

If the hospital is relocated, a range of specialist services for women will no longer be available. Democrat Senator Lyn Allison pointed out that St Vincent's Public Hospital would not carry out pregnancy terminations. Funding for women's services is also likely to be reduced if the government pushes ahead with its plan.

From GLW issue 243