CUTS to Werribee Mercy Hospital’s budget will put patients at risk, a hospital employee has warned.
Mercy Public Hospitals has announced plans to reduce elective surgeries and beds at Werribee after its budget was slashed by $3 million.
The move follows the federal government’s decision to reduce Victoria’s health funding by $107 million after census data showed a decline in the state’s projected population growth.
In a memo to staff, Mercy Public Hospitals executive director Linda Mellors said the funding cuts would result in a reduction of services.
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She said Werribee would have fewer beds and cots, elective surgeries and outpatient and support services.
Patients at Werribee Mercy already face the longest wait in the western suburbs for elective surgeries.
Latest state government data reveals that in the first half of last year, patients at Werribee waited an average of 59 days for surgery.
The average wait for elective surgery was 35 days at Williamstown Hospital and Footscray’s Western Health, while patients at Sunshine Hospital waited for 42 days. Across the state, the average wait for elective surgery was 39 days.
An employee, who asked not to be named, said bed closures and surgery cut-backs would lead to “bed block” and longer waiting lists.
“Beds will be blocked in the emergency department because people are not being transferred to wards,” she said.
“Patients will be facing longer waiting times for emergency department treatment. If you are bed-blocked, people with fractures are going to be sitting in pain longer. We could see people being discharged [from wards] sooner. Patient care is being put at risk.”
Mercy Public Hospitals chief executive Stephen Cornelissen said management was working to reduce the impact on patients.
Mercy has also asked staff to take annual or long service leave or cut their hours, while others will be redeployed. The hospital will also reduce its use of agency staff.
