Tuesday, 13 August 2024

 Bill TILLEY (Benambra) (14:57): (748) My constituency question is to the Minister for Health. The information I seek is why a 20-bed ward contract with Mercy Health Albury that could reduce the bed blockage at Albury Wodonga Health is not being funded. Last weekend was horrendous. At one stage the health service needed an additional 50 beds. People were on the floor in the hallways but not in hospital beds. I have emails from last year between the two state health departments recommending that long-term patients be shifted to the nearby Mercy to free up beds. It was costed at $20.8 million over three years, to be shared by both Victoria and New South Wales. Nothing has happened, and I am told that this will not be funded. There are 2299 on our category 3 surgery waitlist, and it continues to climb. The lack of beds is a significant contributor, and my constituents need to know why the Mercy option and plans for modular units have been dumped.