Hospital support sought
Names needed: Leongatha Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, Darryl McGannon, is urging the community to sign the petition.
SOUTH Gippslanders are being urged to show their support for the redevelopment of Leongatha Memorial Hospital by signing a petition.
Gippsland South MLA Peter Ryan is urging residents to show the State Government their disapproval over the appalling state of the hospital by putting pen to paper.
Mr Ryan recently confirmed he would be part of a deputation to meet State Health Minister Daniel Andrews on December 10 to press the case for a new hospital at
Leongatha.
He will be joined by Gippsland Southern Health Service president Tracey Gibson and CEO Gary Templeton, and South Gippsland Shire Council Mayor, Cr Jim Fawcett.
To further strengthen the community’s case for a new hospital, Mr Ryan is circulating a petition calling on the government to build a new hospital.
“I will join a number of community and hospital representatives in a meeting with the Minister to press the case for a new hospital to replace the current facility in Leongatha, but it is important that the residents of Leongatha also make their collective voices heard,” Mr Ryan said.
“It is vitally important that as many residents as possible sign this petition to show this issue is of utmost importance to Leongatha and the wider community.
“We need to show the Brumby Government that the facilities at the hospital are not up to scratch and the community deserves better.”
The petition was backed by Leongatha Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, Darryl McGannon. He is hoping for at least 5000 signatures.
“The petition will circulate until the first week of December and will just reinforce that there is great community support for a new hospital,” Mr McGannon said.
“The more signatures we get, the better the case will be.”
A public meeting proposed by the chamber and Leongatha Progress Association about the hospital was to be held this month, but will now be delayed until after the delegation visit.
Mr Ryan said the petition would be circulated in numerous businesses around Leongatha, before being presented to Parliament during the final sitting week of Parliament for 2010, December 8-10.
“The petition will only strengthen the community’s case for this desperately needed rebuild of their hospital and I implore all residents to make their voices heard,” he said.
“The facility has had its day and while the staff do a magnificent job in providing the excellent services, for which this facility is known, this situation can’t go on.”
Copies of the petition can be found at Mr Ryan’s electorate office by calling 5144 1987 or at the following Leongatha businesses: Edney’s Leongatha, Shan’s Lingerie, Leongatha newsagency, Evan’s Petroleum service stations, Star newspaper, We’re 4 U, Panther’s Mensland and Capeview Mitre 10.
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