Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty has slammed Federal Government hospital funding cuts as 'unprecedented'.
Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty has slammed Federal Government hospital funding cuts as 'unprecedented'.
The Mail-Times reported on Friday that West Wimmera Health Service had closed 15 of its acute beds after the government withdrew $175,000 from its current budget.
The Federal Government confirmed before Christmas it would immediately slash $107 million from Victorian hospitals, because it believed the state's population was falling.
Mr Delahunty said it was unheard of for any government to take money away from a budget that had already been allocated.
"That's money from this financial year," he said.
"So Wimmera Health Care Group, West Wimmera Health Service and all other health services in the region are affected by this.
"No doubt, a lot of services will be affected.
"We call on the Federal Government to show compassion and concern.
"They should not use shoddy figures which have been proven wrong.
"Even the Australian Bureau of Statistics said the figures were wrong."
Mr Delahunty said the government should replace the funding.
"This will have long-term ramifications for health services right across Victoria," he said.
"I always say, no matter where you live in Victoria, you should have basic health services in your community and specialist health services in your region.
"But this Federal Government cutback will mean that we will lose services, particularly elective surgery.
"People will have to wait longer for elective surgery and other health services."
