Concern among the Singleton community has been caused by the Rudd Government’s National Health and Hospitals Network.

They are concerned about the step Federal Government’s might take about stopping block funding and paying hospitals based on a service basis.

Singleton is a regional area that has smaller hospitals, they perform smaller number of procedures such as surgeries, and people here are concerned hospitals here will not be able to survive under the governments paid on service system.

Smaller hospitals will come under a new Local Hospital Network under the Rudd Government’s proposal.

According to the Rudd Government proposal hospitals will be placed in either a city network, large regional centre network or regional area network.

If the criteria is followed then Singleton hospital would be under a large regional acute hospital as it is a smaller rural hospital.

The Australian Government will take 60 per cent of funding responsibility for public hospitals by investing 30 per cent of GST revenue under the National Health and Hospitals Network.

Singleton Mayor Cr Sue Moore said that concern can be seen in this area. She said, “I understand the need for reform and the Federal Government is taking charge with the intention of hospitals managing their own funds by 2012. However, it would appear that Singleton Hospital would be run under a Local Hospital Network and that would be out of our control.”