NSW: NSW Opp claims govt is cutting health funding

AAP General News (Australia)
12-21-2003
NSW: NSW Opp claims govt is cutting health funding

NSW Opposition leader JOHN BROGDEN has accused the state government of continually
cutting back on health spending, despite rolling in money from stamp duty windfalls.

Mr BROGDEN has released Treasury documents which he says shows spending on NSW Health
has been cut by $140 million over three years.

He says that's immoral in the face of hundreds of cases of patients suffering needlessly
in a stressed public health system.

Earlier today state Health Minister MORRIS IEMMA defended the public hospital system
in the wake of findings of poor patient care and mismanagement at Campbelltown and Camden
hospitals.

Mr IEMMA says it's simply unrealistic in such a big system to expect that mistakes
and accidents won't occur from time to time.

He says the only thing that's new is the unprecedented level to which the Opposition
is trying to exploit some sad stories for political opportunity.

AAP RTV nf/jmt

KEYWORD: HOSPITALS BROGDEN (SYDNEY)

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