The McGowan Government urgently need to rethink the cruel and insensitive decision to close parking at Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH) to families attending with sick, often immune compromised children.
Last month, PCH updated their webpage and social media sites to inform families that parking underneath PCH and access to the hospital via the lifts is now closed to families and their sick children.
“It beggars belief that the McGowan government have not considered the impact this ill and cruelly-thought through decision would have on our sickest children and their families,” said Shadow Health Minister Libby Mettam MLA.
“This decision makes life more difficult for the very people they are supposed to be looking after, adding more stress and anxiety to these families.
“Additionally, it is absolutely extraordinary that when parents contacted the WA Health department they were referred to a complaints process that could not be expedited any quicker than 28 days, which is totally unacceptable.
“There is clearly no compassion for families and for the suffering these children are already going through.
“Last month the Health Minister called for a governance review of the health system which would result in more accountability.
“The Health Minister should now step-up, show some heart, manage this and make a decision to rectify this appalling decision, on behalf of these sick children and their families.
“PCH have provided a shuttle service between 8am and 4pm on weekdays, which is completely inadequate.
“The expectation that sick children, often immune-compromised, are expected to share a six seater ‘resort buggy’ – not even a bus – with other members of the public to the hospital is beyond belief.
“As a matter of urgency, the Health Minister needs to ensure these families are contacted and that an acceptable solution is expedited.”
Early Childhood Education
April 18, 2024
