Future of Mona Vale Hospital
The future of Manly Hospital and Mona Vale hospitals had been the subject of considerable public debate. The major focus of the debate was whether two hospitals were required on Sydney's Northern Beaches and if there was to be only one hospital, where it should be located.
In December 2000, the "Save Mona Vale Hospital" Committee was formed to campaign for the preservation of the hospital.
On 26 November 2005, a by-election was held in the electorate of Pittwater (which was traditionally a safe Liberal seat). The by-election was won by an independent (the mayor of Pittwater Council, Alex McTaggart) campaigning on the Save Mona Vale Hospital platform.
In February 2006, Pittwater Council resolved to adopt a proposal to use some nearby playing fields at Warriewood as the venue for a new level 5 hospital (instead of the current site). This led to bitter recriminations and a public meeting which voted against the Council proposal.
On 30 March 2006, the NSW Minister for Health announced that a new hospital would be built in Frenchs Forest and that Manly and Mona Vale Hospitals would be downgraded. The new hospital was expected to be complete by 2012 (although no building has commenced).
In 2009 the Obstetrics ward was temporarily closed at Mona Vale, while asbestos was removed. Later in 2009 the executive announced it would not be returning the unit to the hospital. This has forced local women to drive to Hornsby, Manly and RNSH to give birth. In late 2010 a "Midwife Unit" was announced, providing essentially the same level of care as a homebirth, but in a hospital location. The hospitals pediatricians, obstetricians, and emergency physicians all have strongly opposed this unit, but their concerns are so far not having any effect.
In 2010, the NSW Minister for Health announced again that a new hospital would be built in Frenchs Forest; as of January 2011, no budget monies have been allocated to the building of this hospital and no works have started. Meanwhile, the division of care between Manly and Mona Vale Hospital is being undertaken, with the two hospitals offering different services.
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