Save Modbury Hospital - Maternity. Paediatrics. What's next?

On the 22/10/07 as the Chairman of the Modbury Hospital Community Support Group I sent a letter of Invitation to each of the State Politicians whose electorates are wholly or partly within the catchment area of the Modbury Hospital and also to Mr. Tony Zappia a candidate for the Federal Seat of Makin who wishes to represent this same area within the Federal Parliament. This letter and the reply that I received from each of our State Government Representatives on the 8/11/07 are attached to this post. The meeting referred to in the Invitation was duly held on 9/11/07 at the appointed time and place. Twenty representatives of the Modbury Hospital Community Support Group attended the meeting, but were disappointed when none of the invited guests attended or apologised.

Lesley Purdom

Below are some excerpts from a letter that was sent to our state MPs by one of the MHCSG members. Reprinted by permission, name and address supplied.

To the Members representing Florey, Little Para, Newland, Playford, Torrens and Wright,

Dear Ministers,
...
2. According to the Makin electoral office, there are some 187 schools private and public, kindergartens, day care centres and playgroups in the Campbeltown/Tea Tree Gully area, so obviously there is not a lack or children who may need paediatric care at their local hospital at Modbury. I have no idea how many sporting sides play in the area.
In recent years there has been the addition of Greenwith and Golden Grove - the latter considered the best suburb in Australia - housing estates with more young children to add to the population of the N/East area.

I can't believe the Rann Government would do such a ridiculous thing as close services for two thirds of the public, i.e. women and children, at the Modbury Hospital. If you could give birth Mr Rann and lived in this area maybe it wouldn't be happening.

Hi,
I just wanted to say that I can't believe that the government wants to
close the Modbury Hospital to kids. I live 5 minutes away and I had twins 4 weeks early. I had to visit them twice a day which although was tiring and stressful at least it was convenient because it was so close. My son who's now 3.5yo has asthma and we have slept over a few times at Modbury Hospital. It's ridiculous to think that this newly renovated section will be closing and putting out a lot of people who really need it. I just wanted to have my say...

Thank you,
Regards,
Nicole Kopasic

In its "South Australia’s Health Care Plan" leaflet State Government claims that: "Maternity services will be relocated from Modbury to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital and Lyell McEwin Hospital", however Dr David Panter, Minister Hill’s representative at the community meeting, admitted no more beds will be available at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

The Rann Government has been trying to significantly cut services and close units at Modbury Hospital since they first came into power in 2002. The first petition, signed by 671 residents, and demanding that the government categorically declares that Modbury Hospital will not be closed or any services withdrawn - including the then-new maternity wing - was presented by the Hon. D. C. Kotz to the House of Assembly on 15/07/2003.