Corruption allegations emerge over sale of hospital site

by Rohan Gowland

There have been calls for a Royal Commission into the management of the 
Prince Henry Hospital, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, following the 
announcement that the last remaining hospital unit would be transferred to 
another hospital, clearing the way for the hospital's land to be sold or 
leased to private developers.

The rehabilitation unit was the only section of the hospital after many 
years of governments gradually closing and transferring services to another 
eastern suburbs hospital, the Prince of Wales.

The story of Prince Henry Hospital is one of the biggest con-jobs in the 
history of public hospitals.

Over many years, both Liberal and Labor State Governments have repeatedly 
promised that they had no plans to close the hospital; they assured the 
local hospital action group, the Friends of Prince Henry, and the community 
at large that there was nothing to be concerned about.

But beds continued to close and hospital facilities and whole wards were 
gradually transferred to the Prince of Wales Hospital.

The rehab (rehabilitation) unit was the only thing left.

The transfer of this unit to Prince of Wales is the last and final betrayal 
by the politicians.

The land occupied by Prince Henry Hospital is much sought-after prime, 
inner Sydney coastal real estate which has for a long time been eyed by 
developers as an excellent site for residential or commercial development.

It therefore came as no surprise when, in January this year, NSW Premier 
and local member Bob Carr unveiled a "Master Plan" to lease part of the 
hospital's grounds, under a 99-year lease, to a private developer to build 
residential housing and a shopping village.

Even the Master Plan promised the hospital would remain open — barely — 
as a "centre of excellence" for spinal, rehabilitation and aged care.

The Master Plan was really a cover to re-assure the community that the 
proposed housing/commercial development would not threaten the continued 
existence of the hospital. That pretence has now been dispensed with.

Although there is still no official announcement of the hospital's closure, 
the loss of the rehab unit will mean there will be no hospital services 
left at Prince Henry — ending its 118-year history.

The people have been lied to, deceived and betrayed. The intention all 
along has been to close the hospital and it has been achieved in the 
dirtiest, and most deceitful way imaginable.