Hospital closure protested

PERTH — On February 12, a protest against threats to sections of Kalamunda Hospital drew hundreds of residents to Stirk Park in Kalamunda. The WA Labor government has announced the closure of obstetrics and paediatrics at Kalamunda, although official statements are contradictory. Some 400 babies a year are born at Kalamunda Hospital.

"Originally, there were 35,000 people in the shire", local mother and and organiser of the event Bolden-Strestik told the protesters. "There are over 60,000 now, with more estates coming." Locals needing medical attention will have to travel on three buses, for at least two hours each way, to Swan District Hospital.

The government's promise of more day surgery and mental health beds was welcomed by the crowd, but the plan to drop the after-hours on-call theatre staff roster was roundly condemned. More than 650 signatures were collected on a petition to parliament.

Barry Healy

From Green Left Weekly, February 22, 2006.

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From GLW issue 657