RCH crisis

The Royal Children's Hospital has a $25 million deficit, yet the Bracks Gov. gives away $700 million to modernise Spencer Street station.

I understand there is a need to implement projects and optimise the quality of many things around the state, but there is a big difference here in the way the station and RCH are concerned.

Spencer Street station project: http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/newsroom/news_item_archive.asp?id=96

Yes the Bracks government is floundering, there is only one thing to do, put up even more speed cameras lower the allowance over to 0 and cut the bonus payments given to the speed camera operators.

Surely health and education is the most important areas to fund!

The old saying if you can't beat them join them, but every polly with good intentions just seems to join the system. C

Last Update: Thursday, November 20, 2003. 3:26pm (AEDT)

Low morale will continue to plague hospital, new chair says

The acting chairwoman of the board of Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital believes the hospital will continue to have morale problems in the immediate future.

The hospital has been beset with problems in recent months, culminating yesterday in the resignation of the chairwoman of the board, Kerri Cross, amid allegations of conflict of interest.

New acting chairwoman, Dr Christine Kilpatrick, says she will be working to fix the hospital's budget, rebuild morale among staff and boost public confidence, but added that results will not be immediate.

"Clearly there is some concern in the community as to what's going on and this is not a positive situation to be in at the moment," she said.

"But I have no doubt that the Children's Hospital is a very special place, special to us all, special to the children of Victoria and the staff who work there and that we will move forward."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s993599.htm

Good links there road runner. Thank you for bring this up.

It is a pity. First we see honoured physicians sacked, then funding shortfalls and now the chairwoman of the Royal Children's Hospital board resigns.

When the Bracks Government came to power, it promised full and open government.

It's about time it came clean. The RCH is world-class, partly because of support in the annual Good Friday appeal. Not even Steve Bracks and Co. could jeopordise that and survive!

Thanks.

From what I have learnt - the RCH is a hospital that Victorians are very proud of, especially the efforts of the hospitals committed nurses, doctors and other health professionals each day. The Gov. did let the RCH run into the ground and put unjustified pressure on these health professionals. Now it (RCH) may face increased pressure with the closure of Monash Medical Centre paediatric intensive care unit. Hopefully the Gov. will give RCH the increased focus it needs.

Herald Sun: http://heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,7447708%255E1702,00.html

The Courier-Mail: http://www.couriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,7953078%255E1702,00.html