Sandringham electorate
Brad ROWSWELL (Sandringham) (14:55): (714) My constituency question is to the Minister for Health. Alfred Health operates Sandringham Hospital in my community and has been advised of severe cuts to health services in the 2024–25 budget. I, on behalf of my community, am deeply concerned that cuts to Sandringham Hospital will reduce the hospital’s capacity to provide high-quality care for members of my community. Alfred Health’s CEO Andrew Way has stated that no area will be exempt from funding cuts, which may translate into delays in care; mass redundancies; hiring freezes; cuts to preventative care, such as cancer screening; and a reduction in hospital beds. My community urgently needs the Sandringham Hospital emergency department to remain resourced and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to ensure patients get the care that they need. So my question to the minister is: will the Minister for Health provide assurance to my community that no department staff or services at Sandringham Hospital will be cut?