Car Parking Fees At Hospitals Are At A "Premium Price" - Blacktown Hospital

I remember listening to a talk back show a few weeks ago where a family had to travel for 2 years to visit their son in a North Shore hospital and it costed them 'an arm and a leg' for parking.

So the same principal is in our, the fees are  so pricey that I don't think  they have a right to charge that much.  When families and friends are visiting at hospital and park at car parks in hospitals, there should be consideration given to harsh fees and I sure staff/employees of the hospitals receive a reduction in parking fees as well.

We have a 'Free" Commuter Car Park, for catching public transport within Mount Druitt and we also have free car parking spaces alongside Mount Druitt Trains station lines (North and South), as long as you are using public transport, provide by NSW Transport.

 NSW Health provides no "Free Hospital Visitor Car Park", they charge by the  minute, except the first 15 minutes. So who would park a car, visit a patient for 14 minutes (including walking time) and then charge for 165 minutes onwards. Here are the Blacktown Hospital  car park fees, which I'm sure is the same for Mount Druitt hospital:

I 'm not saying that no car parking fees should be charged. I am just saying that if one NSW Department can provide a 'Free' car park service, why could another one be more considerate. What do think?

NSW Hospitals Are Going Electronic Medical Records Blacktown Is - Next Mount Druitt?

Thus, as I have been visiting Blacktown Hospital to visit a family member of recent, I have discovered that as technology changes the world,  the world changes around us with technology.

So, it appears hospitals are looking for paperless medical records and  BMDH (Blacktown Mount Druitt Hospitals). They call it a "Electronic Medication Management" -  leaving hospitals 'Paper-lite", this will leave medical records available at point of care.

 




If this is happening in Blacktown Hospital and not in Mount Druitt Hospital then both hospitals are not having technology upgraded together  and it confirms not being linked together and have one GM.

T he concept is good , but what happens if hackers get into these records and they all destroyed and non-recoverable. In other words how good is  NSW Health Information Technology experts. Are they able to prevent these things happening? Do we  need an 'EMeds" card or will these records be  put onto our 'Medicare Card"? Who knows?

It's funny, as I met someone that went to Mount Druitt Hospital and they were redirected to Blacktown Hospital as they didn't have enough  medical staff to proceed with  blood tests on his wife, on holiday weekends. 

This makes me think, there needs to be more support for a Mount Druitt Independent Hospital.

Click here for previous blog on Mount Druitt Hospital To Run Independently 

Mount Druitt Hospital Needs To Be Up To Same Standard As Blacktown, Nepean and Westmead Hopitals

I detest Hospitals  being linked to each other, when they are a fair distance apart and one is 'Big Brother and the other is  'Little Brother'. I do not know why NSW Health officials and authorities have labelled Mount Druitt Hospital as joint hospital with Blacktown. In fact, I do  \and I'll explain later.

So under NSW Health, Local Health District, we in Mount Druitt and surrounding suburbs/communities fall under the banner of  Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospital - this sounds like a merger.

Why don't we have Westmead and Auburn Hospital or Westmead and Blacktown Hospital or even Cumberland and Westmead Hospital? No, the officials do not want these hospitals to be run  jointly, they are run self-sufficiently.

First of all, Mount Druitt doesn't come named first in that NSW Banner for the joint hospital venture. Second of all, it appears we have one General  Manager, appointed to run 2 hospitals. I 'm sorry next thing we will have is Mount Druitt joined up to Nepean and Blacktown Hospital services, making it 3 hospitals that it would be linked too (and too complicated). I struggle to think that this is the way Mount Druitt Hospital and community is being treated.

Can't the NSW Health Services appoint one only General Manager for Mount Druitt Hospital only, so that the focus and running of one hospital will bring more efficient, much needed services and full hospital status to handle all types of medical conditions and surgeries. This is so this can be easily handled locally. This is instead of a General Manager, only focusing on 2 hospitals to run, meaning less consideration of time on one of them at all times. That means look after big brother hospital " Blacktown' and  leave little brother 'Mount Druitt' aside.

Here is our current joint General Manager for General Manager Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospitals

Sue-Anne Redmond

RN, GradCert (Oncology), GradCert (Pall Care), BHlthSc (Nurs), Grad Dip HSM, GAICD (Australian Institute of Company Directors)
Sue-Anne has a wealth of experience in the public and private sectors successfully managing the delivery of healthcare throughout New South Wales in operational management and capital development projects.
Sue-Anne is a registered nurse who specialised in palliative care and oncology.
General Manager Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospitals Sue-Anne is responsible for the operational service delivery and performance of Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospitals; Population Health; Aboriginal Health; and Multicultural Health.
Her entire career has been devoted to healthcare working in the public and private sectors with Mayne Health, the Allity group, WSLHD, and in far west NSW in a variety of senior roles including chief executive and director of clinical governance.

So, taking no credit away from our current joint General Manager of Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals, this is where the buck stops here. This is why Mount Druitt hospital is not provided the proper vital facilities that is required to ensure the patients comfort is  provided, as well as all medical facilities  provided by Doctors, Specialist, nurses and  full hospital equipment. We can see with upgrades to hospitals - Blacktown is getting more than a general slice of the funding cake between Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospitals

What is missing in Mount Druitt Hospital is, MRI scanning machines, maternity wards and fully functional medical and surgical back up Doctor services and specialists so that patients from Mount Druitt are not driven or diverted to other hospitals, creating more ambulance costs and frustration for the patient, family and friends.

Click here for Edmond Atalla's Fight for More Mount Druitt Hospital Funds 

I can today tell you a story, when approximately 16 or more years ago, there was a meeting at Holy Family, Emerton with the then Sydney West Area Health Services, Professor Stephen Boyagers. He was meet with the Mount Druitt community in explaining why Mount Druitt is not getting proper medical services.

I  remember, I did ask a question during the meeting and then Councilor after Councillor was asking questions to get the best result for Mount Druitt residents. I think this was from an invitation from Father Paul Hanna, Parish Priest, at that time. Then came a coffee break. We all took a coffee and biscuits break at the back of the church after hearing that we have so many good people within the community, that doesn't get seen by authorities and the wider press.

Then low and behold, here was Professor Stephen Boyagers approaching to speak to  myself and I am pretty sure he said to me personally, 'You bastards, because you are complaining about the services at Mount Druitt hospital, we adverted for 4 doctors to  be appointed at Mount Druitt hospital and now they are scared of  coming because of this community wanting more facilities."

I advised that we need these facilities scaring doctors or not scaring doctors. I must admit he spoke to me in his professional manner and just could not understand why he chose me to say this too as I was not an organiser. Neither had I complained before, I was only concerned of our hospital status and turned up to a meeting, like other community members.

You will note below that the Mission statement from The Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals is quite bland. There is nothing about the Mission from the Management and General Manager and other Managers:

Staff at Western Sydney Local Health District are proudly committed to supporting our vision:
Better Health Service for the People of Western Sydney and Beyond

Furthermore it doesn't confirm that Mount Druitt patients will be transferred to Blacktown Hospital. maybe this is where  the brains trust of  NSW Health suggested to link hospitals. So that patients travel further and may die. I  wonder if any of these officials live in and around Mount Druitt and would they agree for patients to be transferred out to further hospitals, if they were a patient? The answer is NO.

Mount Druitt does not have the same facilities as Blacktown Hospital, so I now think we need to  have an Independent Board, separate from Blacktown Hospital. We need to place the power of getting better improved  full medical, surgical and testing facility services in the hands of locals who care about our local hospitals.
 

Below link confirms Mount Druitt's Emergency Services details but falters in not telling the truth, where patient after patient is being transferred to other hospitals because General Managers and other  NSW Health Services government officials not not provide the full medical practices that is required to safe lives, maintain lives and provide  relief in pain management. I hope there is a petition organised to get the ball moving here and wake up the  relevant stake holders in relation to Mount Druitt Hospital.

click here for Mount Druitt Hospital Emergency Services details

'Unemergency Assistance' Extra Fares Not Fair For NSW Ambulance Fees and Distance For Mount Druitt And Surrounding Suburbs

We talk about incident after incident where people lives are urgently rushed for emergency services by ambulance and it is a total mystery how the NSW Government is treating our community in respect to this.

 It should be called 'Unemergency Services' as this is how people are being treat and then there is that later shock. The shock that you wouldn't expect if it was done right. The shock that if it happened to community members of North shore or Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, they would protest and get their proper service reinstated.

This is where we need to raise this issue again and again, until someone does see the light and turns it on our Mount Druitt hospital.


So, this is where a well respected community member  from Hebersham, 'Billy' from Hebersham  would like to  let our Mount Druitt community know through 'whyilovemountdruitt' what has happened to a family of his and how he finds the system is unfair to our community members. He feels a lot of community members are not raising their voice for fear of  being ridiculed and neglected because we come from 'Mount Druitt'.  

So, his daughter was rushed from home at Hebersham to Nepean hospital in Kingswood not Mount Druitt Hospital in Mount Druitt by NSW Ambulance. Admittedly she was attended to and recovered but the issue goes beyond this.

Now the distance from Hebersham to Mount Druitt is 13.2km  and the time taken by vehicle would be 20 minutes - just keep this in mind.

20 min (13.2 km) via Great Western Hwy/A44

Now the distance from Hebersham to Mount Druitt is maximum 4.4km and the time taken by a vehicle is 7 minutes - Now you see what  we mean

7 min (4.4 km) via Carlisle Ave and Woodstock Ave

So point one, community members are taken further away for delayed medical assistance. Is this what Mount Druitt ans surrounding community members deserve for our hard working lives if we are in need of urgent or emergency assistance. At present, we are receiving 'Unemergency assistance', which needs to be picked up by all local authorities and placed into our Premier, Hon. Michael Baird, or the NSW Minister of Health Hon. Jillian Skinner laps. If both lived in Mount Druitt would they be very pleased with this  health 'Unemergency assistance'? I doubt they would.

In fact, anyone living in North Shore or Eastern suburbs of Sydney, would not  appreciate this service, they would be able to knock on the door of their local State member and ensure they get first preference in  direct local medical emergency assistance.

Now, Point 2. A bill  was sent to Billy's address for  over $444.00   cost of trip to Nepean Hospital. So, as the NSW Ambulance Fees  are charged  charge a call out fee of $349.00 and  then $3.49 per km thereof.

that means the 20 minute trip to Nepean Hospital is an additional $88.20, whereas the trip to Mount Druitt would be maximum $24.43 an overcharge of $63.77. If this is happening everyday then the NSW government will be reaping thousands of dollars from the people of Mount Druitt per year.

I recommend if  we are taken by emergency services to Nepean or Blacktown hospital we are charged the ambulance rate from your from door to Mount Druitt hospital and all community members that  that been overcharged be refunded as far back as this is happening.

Check  out for the overcharged overdistanced bill:

Volunteers For Mount Druitt Hospital's Palliative And Supportive Care - whyilovemountdruitt Face Book Group

A great shared link our member Ron Vorbach has referred to our Face Book Page, to be shared with you, the great people of Mount Druitt and surrounding suburbs. So, if you have the time and 'patience' place your hand here and help others.

Ron Vorbach shared Western Sydney Health's photo.

WANTED | Mount Druitt Hospital's palliative and supportive care service is on the look-out for volunteers who can provide practical and emotional support to patients with a life-limiting illness, along with their families and carers. Interested? Phone Kylie on 9881 1695.

Full story: http://www.wslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/News/2016/New-volunteers-in-Mount-Druitt-Hospital-s-palliative-care-team

Missing MRI Machine - Mount Druitt Hospital - Mount Druitt-St Marys Standard!

Last year when we had a NSW State Election on 27th March 2016, there were political promises and political promises brought from all sides within Mount Druitt and Londonderry State Electorates. The only thing is, the one that has to honor the promises has to do as quick as possible with their 4 year term of leading Government.

If not, there could be a lot of voters swinging sides making opposition governments elected leaders of Governments, when the next election is held. That means the political tides change. So here we have missing MRI Machine that hasn't appeared at Mount Druitt hospital as promised so far. Let's hope that we find out what the issue is or is part of reduced funding?

Here is the story from the Mount Druitt - St Marys Standard 

If you want an MRI Machine in Mount Druitt hospital, vote on the Blog Poll on the bottom of this website.

Feed Back from Western Sydney Business Forum - NSW Parliamentary To The Premier For Western Sydney - Hon. Ray Williams

This is a short report from NSW Parliamentary To The Premier For Western Sydney - Hon. Ray Williams in relation to the recent Western Sydney Business Forum:

 

 THANK YOU

I would like to sincerely thank the more than 300 business people who attended the Western Sydney Business Forum.

It was a great opportunity to highlight Government investment and to hear directly from businesses.

With Western Sydney undergoing an incredible transformation, it is vital that we capitalise on the opportunities for business in employment and growth.

WHAT'S BUSINESS SAYING

One of the salient points made during the Business Forum was the current severe shortage of skilled employment across a broad area of industries including construction, motor vehicle and electricity trades right up to senior management and IT staff.

It is imperative that our planning addresses the current and future skills shortage in our region.

 

FUTURE TRENDS: EMPLOYMENT & GROWTH

Our population is growing rapidly as more people move to Western Sydney to enjoy a higher quality of life. An expected 1 million additional people will move to the region by 2031.

This presents both opportunities and challenges.

There is enormous potential for businesses to grow and capitalise on Government investment in critical infrastructure.

The challenge is to locate jobs in Western Sydney that will correspond with the skill sets of the next generation of residents.

Currently, over 300,000 people leave the region each day for work; and in 15 years' time there will be a predicted shortfall of 200,000 jobs.

While Western Sydney maintains a strong manufacturing sector, employing over 90,000 people, the next generation of young employees will need to be innovative and highly skilled.

There is potential for businesses to cluster around innovation hubs, currently being created through 'Mixed Use' land zones; a successful formula seen to great effect in the Norwest Business Park.

This is one of several approaches used to equip the next generation of employees with greater access to high skilled employment closer to home.

WHAT'S THE GOVERNMENT DOING?

In order to attract jobs to the region, the Government is focussed on improving road connectivity, transport and infrastructure.

In 10 years' time, visitors will fly directly into Western Sydney Airport at Badgery's Creek.

This has already activated significant investment both domestically and internationally, particularly from science, aviation and freight industries.

Additionally, both the NSW and Federal Government are spending over $3.5 billion in road infrastructure around the new airport.

Educational institutions are preparing the next generation of employees who will have direct access to jobs in the identified 10,000 hectares of available Western Sydney employment land adjoining the new airport site.

Business will also benefit through new infrastructure projects designed to increase connectivity and to cater for an increase in population. These projects include:

WestConnex: connecting the M4 to Sydney, the airports and the M5 via a tunnel under Parramatta Rd, linking Western Sydney to every corner of the metropolitan area.

NorthConnex: providing a tunnel under Pennant Hills Rd, linking the M2 at Pennant Hills to the M1 at Wahroonga, removing 10,000 heavy vehicles per day on Pennant Hills Rd.

Parramatta Light Rail: connecting Carlingford to Parramatta, Homebush and Strathfield, bringing businesses and employers closer to employees and customers.

Sydney Metro City, Northwest & Southwest: providing a rapid metro rail line to transport 45,000 people per hour around the Sydney metropolitan, commencing at Rouse Hill through to the CBD then out to Sydenham and Bankstown.

Campbelltown & Rouse Hill Hospitals: two new hospitals to be built in the growing Macarthur and Northwest, along with record investment into Westmead, Blacktown and Nepean hospitals. Health is currently the second largest employer in Western Sydney and will continue to be a major source of jobs.

All these projects are encouraging businesses to relocate to Western Sydney. With improved connectivity and transport, it will be easier than ever for people to work closer to home.

LASTLY, A HOME BASED BUSINESS INITIATIVE

With over 1 million home based businesses, HomeBase is a company focussed on creating a network of businesses who operate from home.

Everyone is welcome at the official launch of HomeBase Business Network.

Event Details
When:  Wednesday 16th March  - 10.00am - 11.30am
Where:  VMax, Event Cinemas - Castle Hill
Castle Towers Shopping Centre
6-14 Old Castle Hill Road, Castle Hill
Cost: Free
RSVP & Details: adeelle@hbbn.com.au

ANY QUESTIONS?

We always welcome your feedback. For further information, please contact my office on (02) 8882 9555 or via email at castlehill@parliament.nsw.gov.au.      


 Click here for previous post

Editors Notes: So there  the big talk of Badgery's Creek airport, 1 million extra people by 2031 in Western Sydney. No talk of rail infrastructure to the new airport. I'm interested (on behalf of our community) on the extra funding allocated to Blacktown Hospital, which Mount Druitt hospital falls under and will seek answers as what the funds are used for at Mount Druitt hospital.

State Member Of Mount Druitt - Councillor Edmond Atalla Concerned Of Accessible Buses in Mount Druitt As Well!

This is a late published blog (which should have been published late last year), so I apologise to the community for this. Yet, for our State Member of Mount Druitt, Councillor Edmond Atalla, I have to say he is really standing up for the community and is passionately a true advocate for improving public transport around the area.

So, it is so pleasing to hear that he is taking on the issue on current accessible amount of buses within the area for peak times (and  maybe all times) and seeking answers.

Please note how quick he responded to the original blog published 21st December 2015, from the copy of letter dated 22nd December 2015 (as above).

He very passionate about public transport in relation to Rooty Hill train station upgrade for lifts. He is aware of bus improvements in the area. Also he moved the motion in Blacktown City Council for a Hospital bus service and it has arrived but not in the Mount Druitt Hospital. At least it is heading in the right direction!

So for him to refer to the current Minister of Transport and  take on this issue is fantastic, great for the community and shows he is leading the community in the right way in relation to local bus improvements. We will update the community as soon as we receive further feedback.


Click here for previous blog

Here is the original blog published and emailed to Mr Atalla on 21/12/2015 

Mount Druitt Crisis Hospital - NSW State Member For Mount Druitt - Edmond Atalla On 2GB Drive Time!

NSW State Member for Mount Druitt, Edmond Atalla waiving  the Mount Druitt hospital flag, for proper coronary and maternity services that are lacking in Mount Druitt. So Edmond was given an opportunity to discuss this issue with 2GB Drive Time Host, Ben Fordham.

Click to listen to the Drive Time Podcast with Ben Fordham, 2GB with Edmond Atalla - Mount Druitt Hospital Crisis 


It is good that our Mr Atalla, is not remaining quite on this issue and is showing us that 'Why he loves Mount Druitt'! I do think that  not providing proper medical services at each qualified NSW Health hospital, it is not ideal for Mount Druitt community members. Proper Health Services should be more then adequately facilitated to provide all vital essential medical services to all members of all communities, no matter how life threatening rating it is. So I agree, that people from Mount Druitt do not want to travel outside of Mount Druitt for life threatening medical requirements.

Keep on the good work Edmond and thank you for his Electoral Officer Phil, to update the wider community with this important potential important.


Click here for Edmond Atalla's 'Why I love Mount Druitt!' 

Click here for details on Ben Fordham - Wikipedia 

NSW Minister Of Health Annoucement At Mount Druitt Hospital Today - Possible Buses Back to Hospital!

 Sometimes it takes years before we start hearing further improvements and progress with improvements within the Community. In an area that has had slow progress in the twenty-five years that I have lived, within 2 suburbs of Mount Druitt, yet has had rapid population growth. 

Since I had taken for the community, with the passion of the community in my heart, things are changing, stake holders are listening and politicians are not taken for granted. Like everyone else within the community Mount Druitt is not only, one way traffic for politicians, it is like an expansion of a major multiple road lanes, we welcome many politicians coming from different directions, to stand up and show passionately how they would work for the community, if elected.

We have had a NSW Liberal Premier in Mount Druitt, We have had the NSW Liberal Minister of Police and Emergency Services and today a NSW Liberal Health Minister at Mount Druitt Hospital  today and this is her announcement with the NSW Liberal Candidate for Mount Druitt.

From Jillian Skinner MP Face book Page  click here for link

6 hrs ·

A re-elected Baird Government will allocate $20.42million to further redevelop Mt Druitt Hospital to include fit-out and commissioning of an additional operating theatre, a drug centre for opiate treatment program, a new MRI machine and a new12-chair Community Renal Dialysis a Centre.
I was joined by Liberal candidate for Mt Druitt, Olivia Lloyd as we talked to some of the wonderful volunteers who support the hospital.
Pictured here with Emily and Margaret among volunteers who run the kiosk as well as a well stocked gift shop.

I have heard also that NSW Health Minister, Jillian Skinner, if elected, will be discussing with the NSW Minister of transport, Gladys Berejiklian in relation to getting a bus service back to Mount Druitt Hospital grounds.

They should also refer to Blacktown City Council that passed a motion for a bus service into Blacktown Hospital rerouted from a current bus route, late last year.

Click here for Council's details on bus service to hospital! 

Mount Druitt Hospital Bus Has Been Approved by Blacktown City Council - Great Step To Improvements in Public Transport

Our community, is basically disoriented when it comes to the location of some of our major essential services.

• Mount Druitt Fire Station is based as Belmore Road (around the corner from North Parade) Mount Druitt.
• Ambulances leave from Tregear, Mount Druitt West 3.7 kilometers from the hub of Mount Druitt 
• Mount Druitt Hospital is 1.5 Kilometers from Mount Druitt train station East.   

The distance from Ambulance and Mount Druitt hospital is over 5 kilometers. This is hard to believe, I would normally assume that Ambulance services would be close to local hospitals. Maybe this could be looked into as a matter of planning importance for the future of Mount Druitt.

Thus, for many years bus services that went inside the hospital, has been taken out of service, by previous State Governments. Now we have Councillors from Blacktown City Council interested in returning these services, which is a step in the right direction. This is because this is a Mount Druitt Hospital improvement upgrade by the current NSW State Government. How Council lobby NSW government from here on, we will find out. We do not want it to be an issue passed by Council and forgotten in NSW Government!

Councillor Charlie Lowles (Ward 5) and Councillor Edmond Atalla (Ward 4) has moved a motioned that was passed by Blacktown City Council on 3rd December 2014, for the re-introducing the Mount Druitt Hospital bus service. What we do not want to happen also, if the NSW Government approves this service is, take away another bus service from within Bus Region 1, if and when it happens. This is what I have been advised by NSW for Transport officials happens, when new bus services are approved.

We congratulate Councillors Lowles, Atalla and all other Blacktown City Councillors for raising this public transport improvement and passing this Motion on 3rd December 2015

What I would like to see if this is improved: new bus signs for Mount Druitt hospital outside the train station hub on both sides of Mount Druitt, on the notice boards on Dawson Mall, hospital brochures promoting this and inside Westfield Mount Druitt.

Councillor Edmond Atalla Moves Return Of Mount Druitt Hospital Bus Service- Unanimous Decision From All Councillors 'Fantastic'!

Well it is good to hear that Councillors on both sides on the political pendulum at Blacktown City Council are working hand in hand for the community in obtaining essential bus services. I have heard that Ward 4 Councillor, Edmond Atalla, has  lead the way in moving a motion in Council for Mount Druitt interchange to Mount Druitt Hospital.

It is pleasing to hear that the proposal was that the service would come from existing bus services, 754, 756 or 757. The most other  interesting fact is secondment of the motion was tied between  Ward 5 Councillors Jacqueline Donaldson and Tony Bleasedale.

A unanimous decision is  as all that the community expects. Well done  to all Blacktown City Council Councillors for making a decision, to improve public transport within the area.