SCIENTISTS CALL ON MINISTER FOR HEALTH TO SUPPORT PUBLIC PATHOLOGY IN BENDIGO AND TO HONOUR HIS UNDERTAKINGS

A delegation of representatives of scientists & pathologists from Bendigo Pathology met with the Minister for Health, Hon David Davis, in Melbourne last month about the possible privatisation of Bendigo Pathology, and the associated risks.

The Minister said he was keen to retain specialist staff in regional Victoria and would make direct inquiries and would respond to the delegation on the issue.

Since then it has been silence from the Minister despite repeated requests for him to respond as promised.

“The longer the silence the greater the inference that the Minister intends giving the nod to privatisation” observed Dr Rosemary Kelly, Secretary of the Medical Scientists Association of Victoria, today.

“I was at the meeting with the Minister. He gave every indication that he understood the risks of privatisation” she said.

“Perhaps the Baillieu government has forgotten the strong feelings of voters in rural and regional Victoria against the privatisations of the 1990s. Those feelings still run deep, and for good reason”.

Members of the community are continuing to sign petitions opposing the privatisation of pathology in Bendigo, with the tally now close to 5,000. Politicians need to listen to the community”.

As Bendigo doctors have said: The privatisation of large and medium-sized public laboratories is …rarely satisfactory … it is likely, due to financial pressure, to result in a reduction of service levels and standards.

Contact: Dr Rosemary Kelly on 0418 543 683