A prominent paediatric surgeon has joined the groundswell of support for urgent redevelopment of Footscray Hospital.
According to Professor Paddy Dewan, quality of care is being jeopardised by demand for treatment far outstripping the hospital’s capacity.
He warns that the focus on patient numbers rather than health outcomes is leading to data being manipulated to attract funding.
“Staff are often asked to do more with less resources and with more personal and patient risk, resulting in greater stress and less productivity, propagating the need for more money to solve the problems,” he said.
“This crisis has been a long time in the making. Neither Labor nor Liberal governments have been able to address the underlying staff morale and resourcing issues.”
Professor Dewan is the health spokesman for Voice for the West, a new political party formed to highlight what it sees as the neglect of issues in the western suburbs.
He is standing for election in the seat of Niddrie, while former Liberal candidate Ken Betts has thrown his hat into the ring for Footscray.
The pair are calling for a Footscray Hospital community leadership group to bring together staff members and community members.
“The public has to be brought in from the outer if we are to reform health care and the performance of our hospitals,” Professor Dewan said.
“Without greater transparency and accountability, the waste in the system will continue, at great cost to patient outcomes and staff morale.”
Star Weekly last week reported Maribyrnong council is lobbying both major parties ahead of next month’s state election, seeking a $550 million redevelopment of Footscray and Sunshine hospitals.
Mr Betts said the crisis at Footscray Hospital was the main issue for Footscray residents.
“Maribyrnong council is attempting to respond to this community concern, but the council is limited in what it can do,” he said.
