Federal Government reinstate $15 million for the FMC Neonatal ICU

The previous Labor Federal Government committed $15 million to expand the neonatal unit at the Flinders Medical Centre.

There was a commitment from the Liberals during the election campaign that they would not make cuts to health.

Unfortunately the Abbott Government have reneged on their promise and will not fund the much needed $15 million expansion.

This is a cruel blow to South Australians and the neonatal intensive care unit at Flinders Medical Centre. The neonatal intensive care unit has 11 intensive care cots and it is one of only two neonatal intensive care units in South Australia. Babies admitted are critically ill or very premature and require extensive care and specialised monitoring.

With a 20% increase in the number of admissions at the neonatal unit, there is an overflow into temporary wards, which has caused significant problems for health professionals and these vulnerable families.

It is appalling that the Abbott Liberal Government has cut health care for our most vulnerable newborns and the $15 million funding should be reinstated as a priority.