Perth hospital staff walk out over planned budget cuts

Date
    December 2, 2015
    WA Today

Hundreds of nurses, cleaners and other support staff walked off the job at hospitals around Perth on Wednesday, angered over proposed budget cuts.   

Employees at both Royal Perth Hospital and Fremantle Hospital began rallies at 1pm as it was revealed this week that RPH was $112 million in deficit while Fremantle was 68 full time staff over budget. 

United Voice members at both hospitals were joined by members of the Health Services Union (HSU) and Nurses, to participate in the stop work action.

Secretary of United Voice Carolyn Smith said the collaboration came as it was a fight for all staff in hospitals, not just patient support services.

"We have to stand together here, because this is an important fight. This isn't a fight of any one person, or any one department," she said.

The protest comes after the recent controversy surrounding the treatment of an elderly patient at Fiona Stanley hospital and the speculation of cost cutting measures to be implemented in WA hospitals.   

Opposition spokesperson Roger Cook believes it's time for the government to come clean.

"The government has announced million dollars of cuts to our hospital sector, because they say activity levels are low. Clearly that's not the case when you see the scenario that's unfolding at Fiona Stanley Hospital," he said.   

"Kim Hames really seems to be the minister for champagne and truffles, not the Minister for Health," he said.   

More to come.