Warley will close down

Hospital board decides to pull the plug due to lack of funding.

The struggling Warley Hospital (pictured) on Phillip Island will close down in the new year.

The decision from the hospital’s board comes a week after it called for extra funding from the Victorian and Commonwealth governments to continue operating.

At the time, the facility’s managers warned that they were considering selling off medical equipment to save the hospital from closure.

The private hospital’s acute services will close down on 31 January next year and the board is currently negotiating with other aged care providers to take over its 35 residential aged care places.

The new Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon (pictured) refused to match a $2.5 million pledge from the Howard Government to save the hospital in the lead up to the federal election.

Ms Roxon said in a statement that she will meet with the hospital’s board to discuss the ongoing welfare of the patients.

“My department is providing support for a clinical adviser and a business adviser, who will be able to support the Warley Hospital through this transition,” she said.

“Following my discussions with the Warley Hospital’s board, I will consider whether any other arrangements need to put in place to ensure the safety and welfare of Warley’s patients and residents, and the wider Phillip Island community.”

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