16 October 2008

Health Minister to visit Dubbo next Friday

NSW Minister for Health, John Della Bosca will visit Dubbo Base Hospital next Friday (24 October).

Mr Della Bosca said he would be meeting with doctors, nurses and medical staff and the Member for Dubbo, Dawn Fardell.

"In the past month or so since becoming the Health Minister I have been touring hospitals throughout NSW," Mr Della Bosca said.

"Dubbo Hospital is one of my priorities and I'll be meeting with the health community about a range of matters including the repayment of creditors.

"I am determined to get to the bottom of this issue as quickly as possible. I have asked the Area Health Service to investigate the claims being made this week at Dubbo Hospital.

"When I was first made aware that the Area Health Service was not meeting the benchmark to repay creditors, I immediately sent the Department of Health's Chief Financial Officer to the Greater West to improve their systems and processes.

"The Chief Financial Officer has identified a number of measures and he will continue to work with the Area Health Service to ensure these improvements are put in place.

"During the past few weeks more than $6 million has been paid out by the Greater Western Area Health Service to suppliers," Mr Della Bosca said.

"During this period more than 5000 businesses have been paid for providing services to the Area Health Service.

"Another $5 million will be released overnight so more creditors should receive their payments very shortly," he said.

"I am eager to meet with the local health community next week so we can continue to provide quality health care," Mr Della Bosca added.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au