Fight to save Mullumbimby hospital
By Kathy O'Driscoll
MULLUMBIMBY — More than 1000 people attended a public meeting and rally against the closure of the Mullumbimby and District Hospital here on June 18. The meeting was organised by the Hospital Watch Committee and addressed by local surgeons and a member of the committee.
Dr Allan James, head surgeon at Mullumbimby and District Hospital, emphasised that the planned closure of the surgical, anaesthetic and dental units is due to inadequate funding by the state Labor government.
He pointed out that it didn't matter which of the major parties was in power; funding cuts to regional services would continue.
James exposed much of the misinformation fed to the community by the Department of Health.
One example is the claim that the surgical unit (the department does not mention the closure of the anaesthetic and dental units) will be replaced by a mental health service team. James reported that the decision to open a mental health unit had been made before the closure of the surgical unit was even talked about.
After the meeting, participants marched to the local council chambers with a model of the hospital enclosed by a perspex coffin. The residents vowed to continue the fight both through parliament and on the streets.