In Western Australia, United Voice and the Health Services Union are continuing their campaign against the Barnett Government’s plans to privatise hospital services.

 

The Barnett Government has chosen Serco as the preferred tender to privately manage over 30 essential services at the new Fiona Stanley Hospital, including cleaning, record keeping, and sterilisation of instruments.

 

A month ago the unions announced the discovery of a report by an independent UK inspectorate into a hospital in Scotland run by Serco. During that inspection six of the eight wards failed basic hygiene standards.

 

The unions claim that the Barnett Government has repeatedly refused to present the business case for the privatisation of Fiona Stanley Hospital, despite repeated requests in Parliament by Shadow Health Spokesperson Roger Cook and Freedom Of Information requests from United Voice.

 

As well as Fiona Stanley Hospital, the Western Australian Government has announced plans to privatise health services at Albany Health Campus, Armadale Health Campus, Midland Health Campus, Busselton Health Campus and the new children’s hospital which will replace Princess Margaret Hospital.